Overview

• The German cabinet approved plans to send up to 25 police officers to the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt as part of the EU's EUBAM Rafah mission.
• An additional 15 German officers may be deployed to the West Bank under the EUPOL COPPS mission to assist in building Palestinian security and judicial institutions.
• The Rafah border crossing, reopened on February 1, serves as a critical point for humanitarian aid and medical evacuations, being the only Gaza crossing not controlled by Israel.
• The missions aim to support a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Germany signaling its commitment to a two-state solution and regional stability.
• Deployment timing remains uncertain due to ongoing security concerns in the region, though officials note a cautiously improving situation.