What’s Netanyahu’s planned ‘hexagon’ alliance – and can it work?
Al Jazeera
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed forming a new regional bloc known as the "hexagon of alliances," aimed at countering what he describes as "radical" Sunni and Shia axes in the Middle East. The envisioned alliance would include Israel, India, Greece, Cyprus, and unnamed Arab, African, and Asian states, with the goal of collectively addressing shared challenges and adversaries. However, this initiative has been met with skepticism from analysts who view it as more of a branding exercise than a concrete plan for a NATO-style partnership.
Netanyahu’s proposal comes amid growing international isolation for Israel, particularly following its aggressive actions in 2025 against countries like Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. Two of the countries he named—Greece and Cyprus—are members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over war crimes in Gaza. This complicates the feasibility of his plan, as these nations would be legally obligated to arrest him if he were to visit.
The idea of a "radical Sunni axis" is also questioned by experts, who note that while some Sunni-majority states have coordinated diplomatically against Israeli actions, this does not necessarily equate to a unified regional alliance. Instead, the focus has been on joint statements and diplomatic efforts rather than formal agreements. Netanyahu’s framing of the region as divided into opposing axes appears more aligned with his political agenda than reality.
Despite these challenges, Netanyahu’s "hexagon" initiative reflects his broader strategy to build international support for Israel amidst increasing criticism. However, analysts argue that this approach risks isolating Israel further and undermines efforts to achieve regional stability. The proposal highlights the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics and underscores the growing need for nuanced diplomacy to address the region’s challenges effectively.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/23/2026