The Hebrew newspaper Maariv has warned of what it described as a “nightmare scenario” arising from a potential rapprochement between Turkey and Hezbollah, following remarks by the Turkish ambassador to Lebanon stating that Ankara supports the role of the resistance played by the group and opposes pressure on Syria to take action against it.
According to the newspaper, the ambassador’s statement may reflect a broader shift in Turkish foreign policy. It added that despite the longstanding rivalry between Turkey and Hezbollah in Syria, Ankara continues to pursue a pragmatic approach aimed at expanding its regional influence, including maintaining communication channels with elements affiliated with the Axis of Resistance.
Maariv argued that such a development could create a more complex strategic environment for Israel, where actors with differing interests cooperate around a common objective of weakening Israel, limiting its influence, and restricting its freedom of action across the region.
The newspaper further suggested that the Turkish ambassador’s remarks provide an important indication of how Ankara intends to shape the Syrian and Lebanese landscape following the fall of the Assad regime, while preserving channels of influence with all regional actors opposed to Israel.
It also claimed that this represents a clear contradiction, noting that Turkey had spent many years supporting the Syrian opposition, while Hezbollah served as one of the Assad regime’s principal military backers and a key component of the Iranian-led regional alliance in Syria.
According to Maariv, Turkey’s primary objective is to expand its regional influence, even if doing so requires maintaining relations with parties that were previously regarded as rivals, including the Iranian-led axis.
The newspaper added that Ankara seeks to consolidate its position as a leading regional power and prevent the emergence of a regional order that could marginalise its role. It further claimed that maintaining ties with Hezbollah provides Turkey with additional leverage in Lebanon and allows it to present itself as a central player in regional affairs.
Concluding its analysis, Maariv stated that Israel should consider the possibility of cooperation between Turkey and Hezbollah based on their shared interests, warning that such a development could present an exceptionally complex strategic challenge. It added that even while Turkey supports Sunni forces opposed to the Iranian-led axis, it may simultaneously maintain channels of communication and cooperation with Hezbollah whenever doing so serves Ankara’s broader regional objectives.
