EU prolongs Rafah border and police missions until mid-2027

The Council of the European Union formally decided to prolong the operating periods of two civilian CSDP missions—EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS—by nine months, setting a new expiry date of 30 June 2027. This decision follows a coordinated strategic review conducted by the European External Action Service, endorsement by the Political and Security Committee, and written requests from the Palestinian Authority and Israel. It also succeeds a short technical extension granted on 29 June 2026 that kept the missions active until the end of September 2026.

In its June 2026 conclusions, the European Council reiterated its dedication to international law and a comprehensive, just peace based on a two-state solution, pledging to aid the Gaza peace plan through these missions. EUBAM Rafah, originally created in 2005, now supports limited crossing operations, humanitarian traffic, and introduces electric vehicles for safer border handling. EUPOL COPPS, launched in 2006, continues to provide training, rule-of-law advice, and institutional reform support to Palestinian police and justice bodies across the West Bank.