Katz: We Will Not Allow Military Presence That Threatens Regional Stability in Syria, Gaza, or the Aegean Sea

SadaNews - Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, alongside the Greek Minister of Defense, stated during a joint press conference in Athens that Israel will not permit any party seeking to destabilize the region to establish a military presence in Syria, Gaza, or the Aegean Sea.

Katz emphasized that Tel Aviv is closely monitoring regional developments, stressing that any attempt to impose a new reality by force will be met with firmness.

He added that the security cooperation between Israel and Greece constitutes a fundamental pillar in protecting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, and that both parties agree on the necessity of confronting common threats that may arise from external actors.

Why Does Israel Oppose a Military Presence in the Aegean Sea?

Israel believes that any uncoordinated military presence in the Aegean Sea could open the door for competing regional or international powers to enhance their influence near Europe's and the Middle East's borders, which it considers a direct threat to its national security and to the strategic balance in the region.

It also fears that the sea could turn into a new arena of conflict affecting vital shipping routes and security cooperation with Greece and Cyprus, thereby weakening its ability to monitor military activities and increasing the likelihood of regional escalation.