The Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union announced today the reactivation – approved by the Political and Security Committee – of the EUBAM-RAFAH mission, known as the European Union Border Assistance Mission, at the Rafah Crossing Point. The mission was initiated at the request of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with the full support of Egypt.
The decision to redeploy the civilian mission EUBAM-RAFAH is a concrete measure to support the recent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The primary objective is to coordinate and facilitate the daily transit of up to 300 wounded and sick people, providing assistance and protection to vulnerable people in a context of humanitarian emergency.
The reactivation of the EUBAM-RAFAH mission was strongly supported by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, who, thanks to the joint work of their respective Ministries, arranged for the deployment of a contingent of Carabinieri personnel by the end of January. These personnel will be integrated into the European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR), in support of the mission.
Italy will participate with 7 Carabinieri, deployed within the EUBAM mission, who will add to the 2 Italians already present in the Mission, and will also take charge of transporting the entire contingent of the European Gendarmerie Force into theatre through the Defence Interforce Summit Operations Command (COVI), which will coordinate the transfer and deployment in the area of soldiers from the Spanish Guardia Civil and French Gendarmerie, who will join the international force.
The COVI is already preparing all the necessary measures to ensure the full operation of the contingent and the success of the mission.
Italy’s participation in this initiative reflects our country’s ongoing commitment to promoting stability and international solidarity, in line with the fundamental values of the European Union and humanitarian law.
