Israel, Greece, Cyprus deepen military ties with new trilateral agreement

Israel, Greece, and Cyprus signed a trilateral work plan for military cooperation for 2026 last week, the IDF announces, in a move that further deepens security coordination among Turkey’s regional rivals in the eastern Mediterranean.

The agreement, signed in Cyprus, also includes bilateral work plans between the IDF, Greece’s Hellenic Armed Forces, and the Cypriot National Guard, and covers joint exercises and training, working groups across a range of fields and strategic military dialogue on shared security challenges, according to the military.

Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Jerusalem, using the meeting to deliver a pointed message toward Ankara.

Standing alongside the two leaders, Netanyahu warned that “those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires and their dominion over our lands” should “forget it,” in a thinly veiled reference to Turkey.

Earlier this month, Greek media reported that Israel, Greece and Cyprus were examining the establishment of a joint rapid-response military force in the eastern Mediterranean, amid growing concern in Athens over Turkey’s expanding military posture.

The IDF says the newly signed plans are intended to bolster “stability, security and peace in the Eastern Mediterranean region.”