About Us

The Mission provides a neutral, third-party presence at the Rafah Crossing Point (RCP) on the Gaza–Egypt border. Its role is to help build trust between the parties, support coordination among all sides, and contribute to the Palestinian Authority’s ability to manage the crossing effectively.

Following the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007, the Mission suspended its operations and entered standby mode. Since 2014, it has implemented a long-term capacity-building project with the Palestinian border authorities, offering training and strategic advice to support preparations for a future return to the crossing and promote sustainable, Palestinian-led border management.

In January 2025, EUBAM Rafah redeployed to the RCP alongside the Palestinian Authority for the first time since 2007, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that enabled a limited reopening of the crossing. 

The operation was reinforced by two Specialised Teams of EU security and border experts from Gendarmerie Nationale, Arma dei Carabinieri and the Guardia Civil deployed via the European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR). 

Operations paused in March due to renewed hostilities, but the Mission stands ready to resume activities when conditions allow, in coordination with all relevant parties.

On 26 June 2025, EU Member States renewed EUBAM Rafah’s mandate for another year and endorsed a more flexible approach that replaces the Mission’s previous standby status, allowing it to quickly adapt its presence and activities in response to developments on the ground. 

EUBAM Rafah Headquarters

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Q: What is the Mission’s mandate?

A: EUBAM Rafah is mandated to monitor and support the Palestinian border officials’ operations of the Rafah Crossing Point. EUBAM Rafah is deployed in a neutral third-party role at the invitation of the parties.

Q: Annual Budget?

A: 7.2 Mio/Euro p.a. funded through the CSDP budget

Q: What specific operational functions do EUBAM Rafah perform in relation to screening, coordination, or movement through the crossing?

A: The Mission monitors and assists the Palestinian border officials in implementation their border management tasks. The Mission does not have an executive mandate. All aspects of the operation fall under the responsibility of the Palestinian border officials. EUBAM Rafah is in regular contact with all relevant parties to support coordination efforts of the Palestinian border officials.

Q: Has the mission had any role in shaping procedures related to humanitarian aid access or traveler clearance?

A: EUBAM Rafah is not a humanitarian actor. However, it is mandated to advise the Palestinian border officials on the application of international law and standards governing border operations. The practical aspects of the procedures in force are agreed between the parties. Humanitarian aid does not currently pass through the Rafah Crossing Point.

Q: How many personnel are currently deployed, and from which EU member states?

A: Currently 11 Members States contribute to the Mission with currently 40 staff, covering border experts, security experts and headquarters staff.

Q: Are there private contractors or external service providers supporting mission infrastructure or operations?

A: No

Q: What are the opening hours of the RCP?

A: The RCP operates 6 days a week, from Saturday to Thursday with opening hours in principle agreed from 9 am to 3 pm. In practice the opening hours been extended on an ad hoc basis due to the late arrival of travelers at the RCP. By common agreement between the parties, the RCP will not be operating on Fridays.

Q: Is this a permanent reopening?

A: In line with the Gaza Peace Plan [#8], the reopening is foreseen as a permanent opening.

Q: Who has responsibility for the returnees once they leave the RCP?

A: Arrangements for onward transport beyond the Rafah Crossing Point are not part of EUBAM Rafah’s mandate and are coordinated by the United Nations.

Q: Do all returnees travel to the “yellow line”?

A: In theory returnees are returning into the Gaza Strip.

Q: How many IDF check points are there between the RCP and the “yellow line”?

A: To our understanding, there are several security checkpoints, so-called “deconflicting points” leading up to or at the “Yellow Line”. However, these operate outside the Mission’s area of operations.

Q: Is there international supervision at these checkpoints?

A: We don’t have reliable information beyond the RCP as our activities are, in line with the agreement between the parties, limited to the border crossing.

Q: What limits are placed on the luggage brought in by returnees? Weight? Size? Content?

A: According to the understanding reached between the parties, only ONE (personal) hand luggage may be carried through the RCP.

[YES: e.g. documents, clothes, one mobile phone, up to 2000 Israeli shekels per person / NO: liquids, cigarettes, other electronic devices]

Q: Who decides?

A: This is according to the provisions on the reopening of the RCP and the understanding between the parties that underpins it.

Q: Who enforces?

A: The Palestinian border personnel

Q: Is this information publicly available?

A: The information relevant to travelers, such as permitted items and basic conditions of travel, is communicated to passengers in advance by the relevant authorities and displayed at the Rafah Crossing Point.

However, the European Union is calling on the parties to ensure that travelers going through the RCP are fully informed about the conditions of transit.

Q: Why have been some items confiscated at the border?

A: Palestinian border official are in the lead on all operational aspects, including the checking of luggage. EUBAM Rafah personnel are there to monitor the border crossing and support the operations of the Palestinian border personnel. The list of items that are authorized to enter into Gaza is part of the overall agreement between the Israelis, Egyptians and the Palestinians governing the reopening. Non authorized items are confiscated by the Palestinian border officials in accordance with the agreed rules.

If toys contain electronic elements, then they will be confiscated by the Palestinian Border Officials in line with the terms of the agreement.

Q: What happens to confiscated goods?

Every day the Palestinian border officials compile a list with all prohibited items and attach pictures of the items to the list. Items will be handed over against signature to an official of the Egyptian Crossing Point who will forward them afterwards to the Palestinian embassy in Cairo for safekeeping.

Q: Who is responsible for the infrastructure at the RCP? What is the standard? Will it be improved?

A: The infrastructure at the RCP is the responsibility of Israel and the PA, and to EG on their side. The physical infrastructure must meet a minimum threshold of serviceability. The processing conditions meet international standards for land crossing in terms of security. Further improvement is currently under consideration to facilitate crossing conditions, in particular for elderly people and people with disabilities.

Q: When will journalists be allowed to visit the RCP ?

A: To our knowledge, visits to the Egyptian side of the RCP are possible and take place regularly. Visits to the RCP from Israeli / Gaza side are up to Israel and the PA.

Q: When will the Head of Mission (HoM) give on the record briefings/ interviews?

A: HoM is available and ready for interviews with local, regional and international press requests. EU ambassadors in the region will also be available for the on-record briefings on the political aspects of the reopening to local media.

Q: When can we obtain video footage of the crossings from inside the RCP?

A: The Mission hopes to make footage available later this week.

Q: What are the conditions/ atmosphere like at the RCP?

A: The working atmosphere is professional and positive, considering the sensitive and emotional nature of the reopening and the conditions of operations. In the early days of the reopening some teething issues are inevitable.

Q: Is there good cooperation between the various actors?

A: EUBAM Rafah maintains coordination and cooperation efforts at all levels with positive results. Confidence building between the parties remains an essential ingredient to success. EUBAM Rafah plays a key role in this regard.

Q: What is the maximum number of daily crossings in either direction? Is there a disparity between the two? Who agrees on the daily numbers? Is the EU complicit in demographic displacement?

A: The daily number of people potentially allowed to cross is agreed by the parties the previous day. So far, the numbers of people exiting and entering Gaza have been matched. This may or may not change in the future, including for technical reasons.

Q: What is the demographic profile of the returnees?

A: EUBAM Rafah is monitoring and supporting Palestinian border personnel and doesn’t make any records of personal details of individuals passengers.

Q: Will the numbers change in the future? If so, when?

A: The number of crossings has now reached approx. 80 -100 persons per day in total. Depending on parties’ agreement on the maximum number of potential crossings, improved infrastructure could accommodate a greater number of travelers.

Q: How many people have registered to cross in either direction? Who do they register with?

A: Registration numbers vary from day to day, as agreed by the parties. We do not know how many, as this is outside the scope of our mandate. For entering, people register directly with the Palestinian Authorities, while for (medical + companions) exits from Gaza lists are compiled by health authorities in Gaza and communicated to WHO, which provides transportation. The lists of registered people are then also shared and agreed with EG and IL.

Q: How are the medical cases transferred?

A: The World Health Organization (WHO) ambulances bring the patients from the hospitals in Gaza to the RCP.Then the patients are transferred into ambulances by the Palestine Red Crescent Society for further transportation, while their accompanying family members are checked for their documents and luggage. The border control of the patient takes place in the ambulance itself. Further transportation on EGY side is done by the Egyptian Red Crescent. Ambulatory patients make their way on foot. 

Q: Are the Specialised Teams composed of civilian or military personnel? How many in total?

A: They are composed of border experts and security experts. The experts are drawn from the EU Member States’ gendarmerie forces, falling under civilian command.

Q: Will they be armed?

A: Only the security experts are armed to protect EUBAM Rafah personnel during their work at the RCP.

Q: What status will the members of the Specialised Teams enjoy?

A: As Members of EUBAM Rafah, they will be covered by the exchange of letters between the EU and the parties.