Athens, February 23, 2026 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined an ambitious geopolitical strategy that explicitly positions Greece and Cyprus as key pillars in a proposed “hexagon of alliances” aimed at fostering stability across the Middle East, Mediterranean, and beyond.
Speaking at the weekly Israeli government cabinet meeting on Sunday, February 22, Netanyahu described his vision for a broad defensive network of nations united against what he termed the “radical Shia axis” — led by Iran and its proxies, which Israel claims to have “struck very hard” — and an “emerging radical Sunni axis.”
“In the vision I see before me, we will create an entire system, essentially a ‘hexagon’ of alliances around or within the Middle East,” Netanyahu stated. “This includes India, Arab nations, African nations, Mediterranean nations (Greece and Cyprus), and nations in Asia that I won’t detail at the moment. I will present this in an organized manner.”
The Israeli leader emphasized that the framework would encompass economic, diplomatic, and security cooperation, building on existing partnerships to create “an axis of nations that see eye-to-eye on the reality, challenges, and goals” in confronting shared threats.
Relevance for Greece and Cyprus
For Greece and Cyprus, Netanyahu’s remarks underscore the deepening trilateral ties with Israel that have evolved significantly in recent years. The three nations have already signed a comprehensive 2026 trilateral military cooperation plan, which includes expanded joint air and naval exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean. These efforts, formalized following the 10th trilateral summit in Jerusalem in late 2025, focus on enhancing regional security amid ongoing tensions.
The inclusion of Greece and Cyprus in this broader “hexagon” vision aligns with longstanding shared interests in energy security, maritime boundaries, and countering destabilizing influences in the region. Netanyahu’s announcement comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Israel on February 25, which he described as “historic” and tied to strengthening bilateral ties in innovation, defense, and AI.
Regional Reactions and Implications
The proposal has drawn swift criticism from Hamas, whose spokesperson Hazem Qassem rejected it as “a direct threat to [Arab states’] strategic interests” and an attempt to “reshape the region” in favor of Israeli objectives. Some observers interpret the “hexagon” as an extension of frameworks like the Abraham Accords, potentially expanding normalization efforts while addressing perceived radical threats from both Shia and Sunni Islamist groups.
Netanyahu praised the strong US-Israel alliance and positioned the emerging network as complementary to it. While details remain forthcoming — with the prime minister promising an “organized” presentation — the explicit naming of Greece and Cyprus highlights the Eastern Mediterranean’s growing strategic importance in Israel’s foreign policy outlook.
As discussions unfold, particularly during Modi’s visit, this vision could mark a significant evolution in regional alliances, with Greece and Cyprus at the forefront of Mediterranean stability initiatives.
Greek City Times will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on this emerging geopolitical framework.