EU CSDP civilian missions: Council renews mandates of EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS

The European Council has renewed the mandates of the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS).

The legal reference is the Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1466 of 29 June 2026 amending Decision 2013/354/CFSP.

In its conclusions of 19 March 2026, the European Council reaffirmed, inter alia, the Union’s commitment to international law and a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.

The European Council also reiterated the Union’s readiness to work on the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 (UNSCR 2803), calling for the full implementation by all parties of the ceasefire and all other provisions of UNSCR 2803, in line with relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and international political and legal principles. (

On 25 June 2026, taking into account information provided by Israel and by the Palestinian Authority, the PSC agreed that the mandates of both EUPOL COPPS and EU BAM Rafah should be extended by three months. In this context, EUPOL COPPS should be extended until 30 September 2026.

Prior to that, on 26 June 2025, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/1284, which extended the mandate of EUPOL COPPS until 30 June 2026.

The EU remains firmly committed to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution and is ready to contribute to all efforts towards that solution and called on all parties to refrain from actions that undermine its viability. The European Council further stated that the EU will continue to work with regional and international partners to that end and will continue supporting the Palestinian Authority and its reform agenda.

Background

EUPOL COPPS was launched in January 2006, and it is headed by Mr Felix Andåker. The mission’s current mandate focuses on support to the Palestinian Civil Police and wider justice institutions, in the areas of policing and wider criminal justice arrangements. 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.

EUBAM Rafah was launched in November 2005, following the Israeli disengagement from Gaza. EUBAM Rafah continues to advise and provide technical assistance on integrated border management to the Palestinian General Authority for Borders and Crossings based in Jericho and support EU funded projects. EUBAM Rafah is mandated to provide a third-party presence at the Rafah Crossing Point between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and to build confidence between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. This part of the mandate has been on hold between 2007 -when Hamas took over Gaza - and February 2025, when the mission was temporarily redeployed to the Rafah Crossing Point at the request of the Palestinians and the Israelis in agreement with the Egyptians following the ceasefire agreement. Its Head of Mission is Ms Nataliya Apostolova.