Council renews mandate of EUBAM Rafah until 30 June 2027

• Council of the EU
• Press release
• 28 September 2026 10:25

EU CSDP civilian missions: Council renews mandates of EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS until 30 June 2027

The Council decided today to renew the mandates of two civilian missions under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Following the coordinated strategic review conducted by the European External Action Service and approved by the Political and Security Committee and on the basis of the letters provided by the Palestinian Authority and Israel, the Council decided to renew the mandates of the EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah) and of the EU Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) for nine months until 30 June 2027.

This decision follows a technical extension of three months adopted on 29 June 2026, which prolonged the mandates of both CSDP missions until 30 September 2026.

In its conclusions of June 2026, the European Council reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to international law and a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region based on the two-state solution, reiterating its readiness to contribute to work on the implementation of the comprehensive Gaza peace plan, including through EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS.

Background

Launched in November 2005, EUBAM Rafah is a civilian, non-executive mission which advises and provides technical assistance to the Palestinian border personnel at the Rafah Crossing Point between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Its role is to provide a third-party presence at the crossing point and build confidence between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. After being placed on hold in 2007 following the takeover of the Gaza Strip by Hamas, the mission has redeployed in January 2025 and again in February 2026, enabling the opening of the Rafah Crossing Point for more than 13 thousand travellers up to now. Since 2023, the Head of Mission is Ms Nataliya Apostolova.

EUPOL COPPS was launched in January 2006, and its current mandate focuses on supporting the Palestinian Civil Police and wider justice institutions, in the areas of civil policing and wider criminal justice arrangements, primarily in the West Bank. Through its contribution to security and justice sector reform, the mission supports efforts to improve the security of the Palestinian population and to reinforce the rule of law. Since 1 July 2026, the mission is headed by Mr Felix Andåker.

EU CSDP civilian missions: Council renews mandates of EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS until 30 June 2027