Egypt, Israel make rare alliance against Libya-Turkey mediterranean energy deal

Egypt and Israel have made a rare united stand in rejecting Libya’s ratification of a controversial maritime boundary agreement with Turkey, escalating tensions over lucrative offshore oil and natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean, according to a report by Business Insider Africa.

​The diplomatic friction follows an October 20, 2026, decision by Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives—backed by Russian military support—to ratify the 2019 maritime memorandum originally struck between Turkey and Libya’s western Tripoli-based government. This move signals a significant political alignment shift, as eastern lawmakers reversed their previous opposition and repealed earlier resolutions.

​In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the ratification on October 21, stating via social media: “Israel strongly condemns the decision of the Libyan House of Representatives to ratify the Maritime Jurisdiction Memorandum between Turkey and Libya. This agreement infringes upon the sovereign rights of our close allies in the region. Regretfully, once again, we see Turkey working to destabilize the eastern Mediterranean region.” Egypt’s Foreign Ministry similarly denounced the deal as “null and void,” arguing it violates international maritime law and infringes upon Egyptian rights within its exclusive economic zone.

​Conversely, Turkish leadership defended the pact. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on October 21: “This is an entirely legitimate agreement, both from a legal and a political perspective. There is no need to debate it.” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also praised the parliamentary move.

​The disputed pact outlines sweeping maritime boundaries that could grant Turkey and Libya broad exploration rights for offshore energy resources, drawing ongoing opposition from Greece and Cyprus while reshaping regional alliances.