The European Union has restarted its civilian mission at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt to assist Palestinian border personnel and facilitate the movement of people, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced.
Kallas said EU foreign ministers agreed that the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) could play a key role in supporting the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“The EU’s civilian border mission deploys today to the Rafah Crossing at the request of the Palestinians and the Israelis. It will support Palestinian border personnel and allow the transfer of individuals out of Gaza, including those who need medical care,” Kallas posted on X.
Palestinian and Hamas officials said the crossing would now be managed by Palestinian Authority personnel and European monitors. They confirmed that 50 injured militants and 50 wounded civilians, along with their escorts, would be allowed through. Another 100 people, mostly students, are expected to cross on humanitarian grounds.
EUBAM first operated at Rafah in 2005 but was suspended in 2007 after Hamas took control of Gaza. The mission has since remained in standby mode with a small international and local staff.
Italy has sent seven paramilitary Carabinieri officers to join the mission, adding to two Italians already present. Germany’s interior and foreign ministries are discussing sending a German contingent.
