Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

It was announced in Brussels that the EU Civilian Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) has been redeployed to the Rafah crossing point as of Friday, at the request of the Palestinians and Israelis, in agreement with the Egyptians, and in line with the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access. The Rafah crossing point has been reopened and is operating on the basis of the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access. This is according to a European statement issued by the Office of the EU Foreign Policy Coordinator.

The statement added, "The mission has deployed a specialized team to the Rafah crossing point to allow Palestinian staff to reopen the Rafah crossing point. This will allow the transfer of individuals out of Gaza, including some who need medical treatment.

EUBAM staff in Rafah are monitoring the transfers. Under the terms agreed with the parties, the deployment period of the EU Civilian Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) team at the Rafah crossing point will continue until the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

The EU Civilian Border Assistance Mission in Rafah can play a crucial role in supporting the ceasefire and redeployment It is a positive development, showing once again that the European Union is ready and present in the region to help.