On January 27, 2025, during the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares proposed the deployment of a European mission at the Rafah crossing to support the Palestinian National Authority. Spain would contribute personnel from the Civil Guard.
The mission aims to facilitate the control of movement at Rafah, the only border crossing between Egypt and Palestine (Gaza). Albares emphasized the urgency of this deployment, stating that the necessary number of agents would be sent, although he did not specify how many.
During the meeting, Albares also addressed U.S. President Donald Trump's recent proposal to relocate 1.5 million Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, asserting the EU's stance that Gazans should remain in Gaza, which is integral to the future Palestinian state.
Albares called for a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by over a year of Israeli attacks, highlighting the need for the presence of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Additionally, Albares advocated for the immediate lifting of sanctions imposed on the previous Syrian regime that directly affect the population and humanitarian aid, while maintaining those related to chemical weapons for now. Sources indicate that achieving consensus among European colleagues on this matter could lead to sanctions being lifted as early as February.
Albares, who visited Syria and Lebanon two weeks prior, noted that 90 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line. He also expressed concern over renewed violence in Lebanon following the expiration of a temporary ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, urging adherence to the ceasefire agreement.
He proposed an important economic support package for Lebanon's reconstruction and to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces, which he described as essential for Lebanon's sovereignty and the security of northern Israel's population.