The whispers in the Lobby have become a roar. Israel and Lebanon have signed a US-brokered deal. The details are still thin on the ground.
But the gist is this: a maritime border demarcation. It unlocks offshore gas exploration. It eases a long-festering flashpoint.
The deal is done, the ink is wet. Downing Street has already issued a statement. They call it a 'diplomatic breakthrough'.
They praise the 'statesmanship' on both sides. But the real story is what this means for the region. And for the government here at home.
The PM needed a foreign policy win. The domestic agenda is a mess. Polling is dire.
The cabinet is fractious. So a quiet success in the Eastern Med is a gift. Expect a flurry of calls from Number 10 to other leaders.
They will want to spin this as a 'Global Britain' moment. But the naysayers in the Tory backbenches will see it differently. They will grumble about 'appeasement'.
They will mutter about Hezbollah. They will ask what Israel got in return. The answers are complex.
The deal reportedly gives Israel full control of the Karish field. Lebanon takes the Qana field. A shared revenue formula is in place.
US mediation was key. The Americans wanted a win too. Biden needs a foreign policy success before the midterms.
Everyone gets a trophy. The real test will be implementation. The Lebanese economy is on its knees.
Hezbollah has already claimed the deal as a victory. That might spook the hawks in Jerusalem. But for now, everyone is smiling.
The UK envoy to the region has been working behind the scenes. The Foreign Office is quietly pleased. They have been pushing for this for years.
The PM will take a call from Biden later. They will cosy up for the cameras. But the Lobby knows: this is a fragile truce.
Not a lasting peace. The danger now is over-interpretation. No one should mistake this for a grand realignment.
It is a gas deal. It is a border fix. It is not a handshake between enemies.
It is a temporary arrangement of convenience. The real work remains. The next flashpoint could come from the north.
Or from Iran. Or from domestic unrest in Lebanon. The UK's role is to carry the ball.
To keep the channels open. To ensure the money flows. Because without economic stability, the deal is just paper.
And paper burns. The PM's team is briefing that this shows 'diplomatic heft'. They will use it to deflect from the cost-of-living crisis.
They will hope it buys some time. But the lobby is not convinced. A foreign success does not fix a domestic disaster.
The polls still point to an electoral wipeout. The backbenchers are sharpening their knives. So this deal is a brief respite.
A moment of sunshine. But the storm is still coming.
