Greece, Israel deepen military ties as Gaza conflict continues

ATHENS — Greece and Israel have agreed to significantly expand their military ties, signing a new defense cooperation agreement that includes joint exercises, arms deals, and intelligence sharing. The announcement comes as Israel's military campaign in Gaza, now in its fifth month, continues to draw international condemnation.

Details of the agreement

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, signed the pact in Athens on Tuesday. The agreement, described by officials as a "strategic upgrade," covers several areas of cooperation.

Under the terms, Israeli naval vessels will get expanded access to Greek ports, including Souda Bay in Crete. The two countries will also conduct joint air force drills and collaborate on missile defense technology. A joint military working group will meet quarterly to coordinate future operations.

Neither side has disclosed the financial value of the arms deals linked to the pact. But Greek media reports suggest Athens is negotiating to purchase Israeli-made drones and anti-tank systems worth several hundred million euros.

Regional context

The deepening of Greece-Israel military ties is not new. The two countries have steadily built a security partnership over the past decade, driven by shared energy interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and concerns over Turkish assertiveness.

But the timing of this latest agreement has drawn scrutiny. Israel's offensive in Gaza, launched after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, has killed over 27,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry. The International Court of Justice is currently examining a genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel.

Critics accuse Athens of ignoring the humanitarian catastrophe. "Greece is choosing to arm a government accused of genocide," said a spokesperson for the Greek branch of Amnesty International. "This deal makes Greece complicit."

Greek officials reject that characterization. They maintain the agreement is purely defensive and aimed at protecting Greece's sovereignty. "Our cooperation with Israel is not directed against any country," Dendias told reporters. "It is about stability and security in our region."

Internal reactions

The deal has also stirred debate within Greece. Opposition parties, including the left-wing Syriza, have condemned the government for deepening ties with Israel while Gaza burns. Several small protests were held outside the defense ministry during the signing ceremony.

But the governing New Democracy party has signaled it will press ahead. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has described Israel as a "key strategic partner" and has resisted calls to condemn its military operations in Gaza.

The agreement is expected to be ratified by the Greek parliament in the coming weeks, where the government holds a comfortable majority.

What happens next: The first joint naval exercise under the new pact is scheduled for March in the Ionian Sea. The impact on Greece's relations with Turkey and other Arab states will be closely watched.