An Israeli report has identified potential common ground between Israel and Egypt in confronting Turkey’s growing influence in the Eastern Mediterranean, as regional alliances continue to shift.

The Jerusalem Post, citing Israeli security sources, said Ankara’s emergence as an influential naval power could push Israel and Egypt to reconsider their strategic calculations.

From an Israeli perspective, shared concerns over Turkish expansion could eventually lead to operational coordination extending beyond previous joint naval exercises.

Israel Watches Egypt-Turkey Relations

At the same time, Israel is closely watching the developing rapprochement between Cairo and Ankara.

The report highlighted Egyptian Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Ashraf Salem Zaher’s visit to Ankara on July 13, which observers described as a potentially significant change in the Eastern Mediterranean balance of power.

Relations between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan remained strained for more than a decade, largely because of their opposing positions toward the Muslim Brotherhood.

Al-Sisi accused Erdoğan of supporting the group while it governed Egypt between 2012 and 2013, while Erdoğan condemned Al-Sisi’s removal of the group from power.

Recent developments, however, have provided strategic benefits for both governments. Egypt is seeking access to advanced Turkish military technology without Western conditions, while Turkey benefits from cooperation with a major regional power capable of strengthening Ankara’s maritime ambitions.

The report said military cooperation between the two countries has developed rapidly. It pointed to the Turkish “Anatolian Eagle” and Egyptian “Golden Eagle” exercises as signs of growing operational coordination between two of the region’s strongest militaries.

Cairo’s Concerns and Israel’s Interests

Israeli naval sources reportedly believe Egypt’s concerns about Turkey dominating the maritime arena could naturally serve Israeli interests, particularly in areas where Cairo and Ankara have competing objectives, including Libya.

According to the report, Egypt could eventually coordinate with Israel, Cyprus and Greece as part of efforts to balance Turkey’s presence in the Mediterranean.

The Greek navy commander’s visit to Israel in late June, during which he met the Israeli naval commander and members of the Shayetet 13 special forces unit, was presented as another indication of efforts to strengthen regional coordination.

From Israel’s perspective, these developments could contribute to the formation of alternative or parallel regional alliances.

Israel Expands Naval Capabilities

The report also said the Israeli navy is developing new defensive tactics against maritime drones and other emerging threats.

Since 2023, cooperation has reportedly expanded between the navy’s operations directorate, Shayetet 13, Mossad and Shin Bet as part of efforts to strengthen operational capabilities.

Shayetet 13 carried out a maritime raid in Lebanon’s Naqoura area in mid-April, reportedly its first such operation there since 2000. Foreign reports have also described activities by the Shaldag unit in Syria and Iraq, as well as the presence of a special unit in Somaliland.

In June 2025, the Israeli navy acknowledged deploying two missile boats against Yemen’s Hodeidah port in an operation it said was intended to reinforce maritime deterrence.

The navy also continues operations against the remaining naval capabilities of Hamas, which Israeli assessments describe as limited.

Neither Egypt nor Turkey has issued an official response to the claims contained in the report.