BRUSSELS: The European Union has extended for six months the mandate of its halted mission to help control the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
Under the decision taken Monday, the mission will remain on standby, as it has been since June 2007, following the takeover of Gaza by Hamas.
The EU keeps about 30 officials from the border mission based in the region and ready to move back to the border crossing, if an acceptable arrangement can be found.
The EU refuses to talk to Hamas, which it considers a terrorist organization, although France on Monday said it has had informal contacts with the group.
Israel ordered the complete closure of Rafah terminal after Hamas took over Gaza, and the EU monitors withdrew to their base in the Israeli city of Ashkelon. Their mandate was due to expire on Saturday, but is now extended until Nov. 24.
Hamas wants Egypt to reopen the crossing and give Hamas a role in monitoring the border. That demand has been rejected by the Egyptians who have called for a return to a 2005 agreement that gives Israel and the EU monitors a supervisory role.
Unable to work at the Rafah crossing, remaining EU border officials have been helping a wider European operation to train Palestinian police in the West Bank, which is controlled by the Fatah movement – Hamas main rival. – AP
