Italy takes part in the EUBAM-RAFAH Humanitarian Support Mission at the Rafah Crossing

27 Jan 2025

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The EU Foreign Affairs Council today announced the reactivation – approved by the Political and Security Committee- of the EUBAM-RAFAH Mission, i.e. the European Union Border Assistance Mission, at the RAFAH crossing. The mission was reactivated based on a request by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with Egypt’s full support.

The decision to redeploy the civilian mission EUBAM-Rafah is a concrete measure in support of the recent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. Its priority objective is to coordinate and facilitate daily transit of up to 300 wounded and sick people, ensuring assistance and protection for vulnerable people within a humanitarian emergency context.

The reactivation of the EUBAM-RAFAH mission was strongly advocated by Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, who, thanks to the joint effort of  the respective Ministries have issued directions to deploy a contingent of Carabinieri by the end of January. Such personnel will be integrated in the European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR) to support the mission.

Italy will participate with 7 Carabinieri, deployed within the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM): they will join the 2 Italians already deployed in theatre. Furthermore, Italy will be in charge of moving the entire EUROGENDFOR contingent to the theatre of operations through the Joint Command Operations (COVI), which will coordinate the transfer and deployment of the Spanish Guardia Civil and French Gendarmerie members, who will join the international force.

COVI is already implementing all the necessary measures to ensure that the contingent is fully operational and the mission successful.

Italy’s participation in this initiative reflects the constant commitment of our country in promoting stability and international solidarity, in line with the fundamental values of the European Union and Humanitarian Law.