The European Union (EU) has reactivated its civilian mission to monitor the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a key entry and exit point for the Palestinian territory, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed on Friday.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health announced that the first Palestinians – wounded civilians and fighters – would be able to enter Egypt on Saturday through the Rafah crossing, which has been closed to human traffic since May last year.
Officials stated that, for now, only one-way passage from Gaza to Egypt would be allowed.
The EU supports the ceasefire
Kallas already announced on Monday that there is broad consensus among EU member states that the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) could play a “decisive role” in supporting the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“The EU’s civilian mission is being deployed at the Rafah crossing at the request of Palestinians and Israelis. It will support Palestinian border officials and facilitate the transfer of individuals from Gaza, including those in need of medical assistance,” Kallas stated on platform X.
Egyptian security sources confirmed that members of the EU team had arrived at the crossing site.
The first wounded Palestinians leave Gaza
Under an agreement between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, the crossing will now be supervised by Palestinian Authority officials and European observers.
Initially, the crossing will be open for 50 wounded militants and 50 injured civilians, along with those accompanying them. Additionally, another 100 people, mostly students, will be allowed to cross for humanitarian reasons.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health stated that the transportation of patients from hospitals in northern and southern Gaza would be coordinated with the World Health Organization (WHO).
EU mission revived after 17 years
The EU civilian mission to monitor the Rafah crossing was first launched in 2005 but was suspended in June 2007 after Hamas took control of Gaza.
Since then, the mission has remained on standby, with 10 international and eight local staff members.
European countries send teams
Spain, Italy, and France are among the countries now sending personnel to the renewed mission.
Spain has deployed eight security experts and two border management agents, joining Spanish officials already present; France dispatched three gendarmes specialized in border control as part of the EU mission on Friday; Italy sent seven members of the paramilitary Carabinieri unit, joining two Italians already deployed in Rafah; Germany is also considering sending its contingent.
This move represents the first significant EU engagement in monitoring the Palestinian-Egyptian border in 17 years, and the mission is expected to play a key role in overseeing the ceasefire and facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza, Reuters writes.
