ALBAWABA - According to Israeli media, a committee created by the government has recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be ready for a potential military conflict with Turkey because of worries over Ankara's expanding ties with Syria's new government after Bashar al-Assad was overthrown.
The Jerusalem Post reports that Yaakov Nagel, the former chairman of the National Security Council, oversaw the Nagel Committee, which issued a warning that this coalition may be a greater security danger to Israel than Iran.
In order to improve military preparedness, the committee recommended in its most recent report that the defense budget be increased by 15 billion shekels (about $4.1 billion) year over the next five years. To improve long-range attack capabilities, the suggestions include for refueling planes, drones, satellites, and more F-15 fighter jets.
Despite possible diplomatic repercussions with Jordan, there is also a focus on building a strong security barrier in the Jordan Valley and bolstering Israel's multi-layered air defense systems, such as the Iron Dome and David's Sling.
Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich all received the committee's recommendations, according to confirmation from the prime minister's office.
Although Iran is still the biggest concern, Netanyahu recognized that the dynamics of the area are changing and that new players have appeared, necessitating readiness for unforeseen events.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has already warned that Israeli military actions in Syria might directly threaten Turkey's southern borders, which Al Jazeera emphasized as a source of worry. In 2023, the Nagel Committee was established with the mission of determining potential conflict areas and making suggestions for strategic defense.
Increased worries about the changing regional environment and Israel's need to bolster its defenses against a number of possible enemies are reflected in its report.
