EU launching mission at Rafah border crossing with Egypt

EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas that the EU is launching a mission in Rafah, located on the border with Egypt, on January 31. 

“Europe is here to help: the EU’s civilian border mission deploys today to the Rafah Crossing at the request of the Palestinians and the Israelis. It will support Palestinian border personnel and allow the transfer of individuals out of Gaza, including those who need medical care,” Caliber.Az reports, citing Kallas’ message on X.

A ceasefire agreement in Gaza went into effect on January 19. On the same day, Palestinian groups released the first group of hostages, which included three Israeli women. In response, Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners.

On January 25, four Israeli female soldiers, who had been held in Gaza and were serving in the Israel Defense Forces, returned home. In exchange, Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners: 114 were sent to the West Bank, 16 returned to Gaza, and the remaining 70 were deported to Egypt, where they were met by Hamas officials.

By Naila Huseynova