Israel’s offshore gas fields and Mediterranean naval security: strategic, economic, and geopolitical dynamics

Israel’s offshore gas discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean have transformed the country from an energy importer into a regional exporter, while simultaneously reshaping its maritime security environment. This article examines how the development of the Tamar, Leviathan, and Karish fields alters Israel’s naval strategy through interlinked economic, strategic, and geopolitical dynamics. It argues that offshore gas strengthens Israel’s energy sovereignty and diplomatic leverage but increases exposure to maritime disputes and hybrid threats involving state and non-state actors. Drawing on energy economics, naval security analysis, and regional geopolitics, the study assesses how energy infrastructure securitisation is redefining deterrence, alliance behaviour, and escalation risks in the Eastern Mediterranean.