The European Union has resumed its civilian mission to monitor the border crossing between Egypt and Rafah, a crucial entrance and exit point for the Palestinian territory, as stated by the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, on Friday.
Officials from Gaza's health ministry mentioned that the first Palestinians, including injured civilians and militant fighters, will cross into Egypt through the Rafah crossing on Saturday. The crossing had been closed to human traffic since last May, permitting travel only from Gaza to Egypt at this time.
Kallas expressed that there is broad consensus among member states on the importance of the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) in assisting negotiations between Israel and Hamas, stating, "The EU's civilian border mission deploys today to the Rafah Crossing at the request of the Palestinians and the Israelis."
The crossing will be overseen by Palestinian Authority members and European monitors, confirmed by both PA and Hamas officials. Initially, 50 injured militants and 50 wounded civilians, accompanied by their escorts, will pass through, with an additional 100 individuals, mostly students, allowed to cross for humanitarian reasons.
The transportation of patients from two hospitals in Gaza to receive care will be coordinated with the World Health Organization, as mentioned by Gaza's health ministry.
Having originally started in 2005 and suspended in 2007 due to the control of the Gaza Strip by Hamas, the civilian EU mission at Rafah was reactivated. Spain, Italy, and France are contributing personnel to this renewed mission.
Spain has deployed eight security specialists and two agents, with France adding three gendarmes specialized in border policing, and Italy sending seven Carabinieri officers. Discussions are underway in German ministries regarding sending a contingent as well.