18.05.2026 06:50
Israel's increasing influence in Southern Cyprus has escalated tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. While it is reported that 2,500 soldiers have been deployed to the island as part of an "Rapid Response Force," Israel's land acquisitions and military collaborations in the Greek Cypriot sector have drawn attention. Amid assessments that Southern Cyprus is being transformed into an anti-Turkey military outpost, it has been emphasized that Ankara will not compromise its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Israel's increasing influence on the island through the Greek Cypriot Administration has created a new source of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean. Experts stated that Israel's purchase of land in the Greek Cypriot sector and strengthening its military presence have altered the regional balance.
"CYPRUS HAS BEGUN TO BECOME ISRAELIZED"
Evaluating the developments in Cyprus, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Hasgüler said that Western countries "Europeanized" the Cyprus problem by including the Greek Cypriot Administration in the European Union. Noting that Israel has recently entered this equation, Hasgüler stated, "In a sense, Europeanized Cyprus has now begun to become Israelized."
"2,500 SOLDIERS DEPLOYED"
Hasgüler noted that Israel deployed 2,500 soldiers to the island under the name "Rapid Response Force," stating that this erodes the existing status. Pointing out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides have conducted close cooperation in defense and intelligence in recent years, Hasgüler said Greece is also part of this equation.
"AN ANTI-TURKEY OUTPOST IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN"
Retired Admiral Cihat Yaycı also stated that the Greek Cypriot Administration's developing relations with Israel target Turkey's national security. Yaycı said, "Cyprus is being effectively turned into a military forward outpost against Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean."
"TRNC'S SECURITY IS TURKEY'S SECURITY"
Yaycı stated that Turkey, as a guarantor state, has the responsibility to protect the security of the TRNC, expressing that the unilateral military steps taken by Israel and the Greek Cypriot Administration increase tension on the island. He emphasized that Turkey will not abandon its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
"THEY ARE BUYING LAND"
According to a news article in the newspaper Türkiye, Israeli citizens are extensively purchasing land in Southern Cyprus, with some areas forming exclusively Israeli-inhabited zones. Experts assessed that this process could lead to greater problems in the future.