The European Union is set to revive a civilian mission at the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt to aid in increasing the flow of aid into Gaza and allow for the evacuation of the injured for treatment abroad. This non-armed mission, known as the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), was originally established in 2005 but was dismantled in 2007 when Hamas took control of Gaza. The mission has been preparing for re-deployment since May last year and is now expected to be operational in early February, following a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.
The mission is non-military and is primarily focused on policing the border and facilitating the safe transit of goods and people. It will be led by Bulgarian diplomat Nataliya Apostolova and will have an increased workforce from France, Italy, and Spain contributing law enforcement officers. The mission will support the transfer of injured individuals out of Gaza for treatment, as well as ensuring the smooth passage of trucks carrying critical humanitarian aid into the enclave. The mandate of the mission is to build confidence between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with the goal of ensuring the safe and swift passage of trucks and people through the crossing.
The European Union, as the biggest donor of aid to the Palestinian territories, is expected to have a leading role in the future reconstruction of Gaza, which can only begin in a potential third phase of the ceasefire. The EU has invested heavily in the region to prevent its people from falling into destitution and has committed to long-term reconstruction and development efforts in Gaza. The EU’s role in shaping Gaza’s future may increase with its involvement in diplomatic efforts to secure peace in the region, especially as regional partners like Qatar, Egypt, and the US have been leading these efforts.
While the mission is expected to play a crucial role in supporting the Gaza ceasefire, questions remain about how its mandate could change in a potential second phase of the ceasefire. Israel is expected to maintain its presence on the crossing and the Gaza-Egypt border corridor, known as the Philadelphi corridor, throughout the first phase of the ceasefire. The mission’s mandate is intended to support the safe passage of aid trucks and people through the crossing, as well as to build confidence between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The mission’s current mandate expires on June 30th of this year.
The World Health Organization has raised concerns about the slow pace of medical evacuations out of Gaza, with the closure of the Rafah crossing exacerbating the situation. The mission is expected to facilitate medical evacuations as well as the smooth passage of trucks carrying essential humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel continues to carry out extensive inspections on aid trucks entering the territory to prevent goods from being hijacked by militant groups like Hamas. The EU is considered a trusted mediator that can ensure the safe and swift passage of aid and people through the crossing, which could help alleviate the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The international community, including some European governments, has firmly rebuked recent controversial statements made by US President Donald Trump suggesting the forced displacement of civilians from Gaza and Lebanon. The EU has laid out principles for the future of Gaza that include no forced displacement of Palestinian people. Trump’s comments have been met with outrage, and the EU has not commented on them directly. The EU’s commitment to the reconstruction and development of Gaza, as well as its involvement in the civilian mission at the Rafah crossing, demonstrates its dedication to supporting peace and stability in the region.
