The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has finally given the hostages’ families and the people in Gaza renewed hope. The Rafah crossing point was closed for months. Thanks to the deal, more than 850 people have been able to leave Gaza since early February, including many who have initially been receiving urgently needed medical care in Egypt.

Foreign Minister Baerbock has for many months been working for the resumption of the EUBAM Rafah mission. It is very good news that European police officers are now on the ground in Rafah. They are making an important contribution to implementing the ceasefire and are helping to build new confidence between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Egypt. With today’s Cabinet decision on EUBAM Rafah, we have laid the legal groundwork that will enable officers from Germany, too, to participate in the EU mission as soon as they are needed.

Together with our partners, we are doing all we can to support the ongoing negotiations on maintaining the ceasefire. We need to reach the second phase, because only then will there be hope that all hostages will be released, that the people in Gaza will have a future and that a lasting solution can be reached.