Brussels, Jan 27 (EFE).- The European Union Monday agreed to deploy forces at Gaza’s border with Egypt to bolster a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas while reiterating its for a two-state solution as the foundation for lasting peace in the region.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Kaja Kallas said the bloc will revive the civilian European Union Border Assistance Mission to Rafah, which was launched in 2005 but suspended in June 2007.
“Everyone agrees that EUBAM Rafah can play a decisive role in ing the ceasefire. Today, EU Foreign Ministers agreed to redeploy it to the Rafah crossing point between Gaza and Egypt,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Kaja Kallas wrote on X.
The mission will involve forces from Spain, Italy, and .
Kallas noted that during the council meeting in Brussels, the foreign ministers agreed to deploy the mission at the Rafah border crossing, building on a political agreement reached under the mandate of her predecessor, Josep Borrell, to reactivate the initiative.
“This will allow a number of injured individuals to leave Gaza and receive medical care,” she added.
During a press conference, Kallas said the mission would oversee border controls. “The Palestinians are returning to northern Gaza, and while the ceasefire remains fragile, it holds. We are ing its implementation, including through the redeployment of our civilian mission.”
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed Spain’s willingness to contribute to the EUBAM Rafah deployment. Spain plans to send Civil Guard officers to forces from and Italy, as announced by their foreign ministers.
“Spain will participate. Other states have also expressed not only their but their readiness to contribute,” Albares said after the council meeting.
The EUBAM Rafah mission was initially launched in November 2005 following Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Although currently on hold, the mission has continued to provide technical assistance and advice on integrated border management to the Palestinian Authority General istration of Borders and Crossings, based in Jericho, West Bank. It also s trade facilitation and biometric port processing projects.
EUBAM Rafah’s mandate includes providing third-party oversight at the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt and fostering trust between the Israeli government and the Palestinian National Authority (PA).
However, this aspect of the mission has been suspended since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.
“We are redeploying the mission with its original mandate,” Kallas stated, adding that the launch is planned for February.
Asked President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, Kallas emphasized the two state solutions for the Middle East crisis.
“The Palestinian people have suffered a lot. Both Palestinians as well as Israelis deserve peace. Right now, we have a ceasefire in place. But it also requires the next steps to be taken so that the peace will be permanent and there is stability and peace in the region,” she said.
“And that, from our point of view, requires the two-state solution, and that requires the two states to have a more equal basis.” EFE
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