The European Union is poised to reinstate its civilian observer mission, the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. This initiative aims to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip and enable the evacuation of injured civilians for medical treatment abroad. The mission’s revival comes after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group controlling Gaza, with support from Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. Originally established in 2005 but suspended in 2007 after Hamas took control of Gaza, EUBAM’s redeployment has been in preparation since May 2024, following Israel’s seizure and closure of the Rafah crossing. The mission is expected to be operational from early February 2025 until the initial phase of the ceasefire concludes on March 2, 2025.
EUBAM’s mandate is primarily civilian, focusing on border monitoring and ensuring the secure movement of goods and people. The mission, led by Bulgarian diplomat Nataliya Apostolova, will involve a small team of international and local staff, augmented by law enforcement officers from France, Italy, and Spain. Italy is contributing seven Carabinieri officers, Spain ten Guardia Civil officers, and France is also providing personnel. These officers are undergoing preparatory training at the European Gendarmerie Force headquarters in Vicenza, Italy, with the Italian military coordinating their deployment to Rafah. The mission’s presence is intended to build trust between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, a key goal outlined in the mission’s mandate, which currently extends until June 30, 2025.
The mission is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. One of its critical tasks is facilitating the evacuation of thousands of critically injured civilians for medical treatment, a process that has been severely hampered by the Rafah crossing’s closure. The World Health Organisation has highlighted the urgency of this issue, warning of the devastating consequences if medical evacuations remain at their current slow pace. EUBAM will also oversee the smooth transit of crucial humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and fuel, into Gaza. The ceasefire agreement stipulates the daily entry of 600 aid trucks, a minimum requirement to avert a famine, according to humanitarian organizations. Prior to the conflict triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2024, around 500 trucks entered Gaza daily.
While the EU mission aims to expedite aid delivery, Israel maintains control over the crossing and the Philadelphi corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border during the ceasefire’s first phase. Israel continues to conduct thorough inspections of aid trucks to prevent goods from reaching militant groups, a practice criticized by aid organizations who accuse Israel of using its control to restrict essential supplies and worsen the humanitarian crisis. The EU, as a significant aid donor to the Palestinian territories, is viewed as a neutral mediator capable of ensuring the secure and efficient passage of goods and people through Rafah. The EU’s role in this context is critical, given its substantial financial contribution to the Palestinian territories, exceeding €1.18 billion between 2021 and 2024.
The EU’s involvement in Gaza’s future extends beyond the immediate humanitarian response. The bloc is expected to play a leading role in the long-term reconstruction of Gaza, a process slated to commence in a potential third phase of the ceasefire. The scale of destruction, resulting from 15 months of Israeli bombardment, suggests that reconstruction will be a protracted and complex undertaking. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has emphasized the EU’s commitment to Gaza’s long-term reconstruction and development, echoing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s previously articulated five principles for Gaza’s future, which include the prevention of forced displacement of Palestinians.
While regional actors like Qatar and Egypt, along with the US, have traditionally spearheaded diplomatic efforts in the region, the EU’s increased involvement through EUBAM signals a potentially more prominent role in shaping Gaza’s future. This increased engagement comes against the backdrop of controversial statements by former US President Donald Trump, who suggested the expulsion of civilians from Gaza and southern Lebanon to neighboring countries. These remarks, widely condemned by the international community, including European governments, underscore the sensitive political landscape surrounding the Gaza conflict. The EU’s focus remains on humanitarian assistance, reconstruction, and promoting a sustainable future for Gaza, navigating complex political dynamics and striving to ensure the well-being of the Palestinian population.
