Eastern Mediterranean allies formalize expanded military cooperation

Israeli defense officials said the agreements represent another layer in strengthening military coordination between the countries.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel, Greece, and Cyprus have signed a new trilateral military cooperation work plan for 2026, the IDF Spokesperson announced Sunday evening, further deepening security ties among the three eastern Mediterranean partners amid growing regional tensions.

The agreements were finalized last week in Cyprus, alongside separate bilateral work plans between the Israel Defense Forces and the armed forces of Greece and Cyprus. The signing followed the annual joint meeting of the three militaries.

The Israeli delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Amit Adler, head of the IDF’s Tevel Division, who met in Nicosia with his Greek and Cypriot counterparts.

According to the IDF, the plans include joint military exercises and training, professional working groups across multiple domains, and ongoing strategic dialogue on shared security challenges.

The signing comes shortly after a trilateral summit in Jerusalem, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as the most significant of the Israel–Greece–Cyprus meetings to date.

During the summit, Netanyahu issued a pointed warning to regional actors, including Turkey and Iran, against attempts to expand their influence or threaten Israel. He stressed that Israel and its partners are fully capable of defending themselves and that close cooperation only strengthens that deterrence.

Regional cooperation has taken on added urgency amid deteriorating relations between Israel and Turkey since October 7, 2023.

Ankara has imposed a full trade embargo on Israel and intensified political and diplomatic attacks, while significantly expanding its domestic defense industry and military capabilities.

Against this backdrop, Greek media have reported discussions on the possible establishment of a joint rapid-response force involving Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, designed to address emerging security threats in the eastern Mediterranean and protect critical infrastructure.

Israeli officials have also made clear their opposition to any regional stabilization frameworks that would include Turkish forces.

The signing of the agreements marks another step in deepening military cooperation between the three countries and is intended to strengthen stability, security, and regional deterrence in the eastern Mediterranean.