Israel’s security establishment is increasingly focused on Turkey’s expanding military and political presence in Libya, with Israeli intelligence examining whether Ankara’s growing footprint in the Mediterranean could affect Israeli shipping, energy projects and strategic access to Europe.
According to the Hebrew-language website Walla, the Israeli military’s Intelligence Directorate, known as Aman, has begun paying closer attention to what it describes as the “Libyan corridor” and Turkey’s military and political influence across the region. The focus centres on the maritime agreement signed between Turkey and Libya in 2019, which has expanded further over the past two years.
A Turkish-Libyan Corridor Across the Mediterranean
The agreement creates what the Israeli report describes as a direct maritime connection between the Turkish and Libyan coasts, while disregarding the chain of Greek islands lying between them, particularly Crete and Rhodes.
According to Walla, the arrangement is accompanied by Turkish military activity in the area and, from the Israeli security establishment’s perspective, appears to divide the Mediterranean into two zones.
In return for Turkey’s military support to Libya, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has secured access to ports, an air presence and rights to search for energy resources in Libyan territory, according to the report.
Israeli assessments cited by Walla argue that this position could allow Turkey to establish military infrastructure in the region and potentially disrupt military and civilian activity, including commercial shipping, at distances far beyond Turkey’s internationally recognised borders.
Israeli Concerns Over Gas and Energy Routes
The Israeli concern extends beyond Turkey’s military presence.
According to Walla, Israeli officials believe the Turkish-Libyan agreement and its consequences could prevent, or at least complicate, plans for a gas pipeline linking Israel with Cyprus, then passing through Greece towards Europe.
Turkey’s position, as presented in the report, is that any such project would have to pass through waters claimed by Ankara and therefore require the Turkish government’s approval.
The same tensions could also affect the laying of undersea communications cables and electricity infrastructure in areas where Israeli officials believe there is a risk of disruption or damage.
The Israeli security establishment says Aman is therefore required to examine developments that could affect Israeli interests and those of its allies, particularly against the backdrop of Israel’s energy agreements with Greece, Cyprus and Egypt.
98 Per Cent of Israeli Imports Arrive by Sea
Another concern is freedom of navigation.
According to the Israeli report, approximately 98 per cent of Israel’s imports arrive by sea, making changes to Mediterranean shipping routes particularly sensitive for the Israeli economy and security establishment.
Walla reported that Aman, Mossad and the Israeli Navy’s intelligence division are all closely monitoring Turkish activity in the region.
Senior Israeli officials reportedly view Ankara’s moves as attempts to increase pressure on Israel and contribute to its regional isolation, alongside the direct threats they say Erdogan has made against Israel. This is the assessment of Israeli security officials cited in the report, rather than an independently established description of Turkey’s intentions.
Turkish Military Presence Already Established in Libya
Israeli sources cited by Walla say Turkey already maintains an air and naval military presence in Libya, including advisers and repeated visits by senior Turkish commanders.
The Israeli security establishment is particularly sensitive to changes in maritime trade routes following tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab in the Red Sea, where disruptions could carry economic and security consequences for Israel.
From the Israeli perspective, Turkey’s growing position in Libya is therefore no longer being treated solely as a Libyan or Turkish issue. It is increasingly being assessed as part of a wider strategic contest over Mediterranean energy routes, maritime access and military influence.
