European Union (EU) foreign ministers are expected to discuss a proposal to train 3,000 Palestinian police officers to be deployed in Gaza, Reuters news sources reported.
The proposal was prepared by the EU diplomatic service ahead of a ministerial meeting on November 20 and supports the implementation of a 20-point plan for Gaza proposed by US President (US), Donald Trump.
While Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed to the first phase of the plan last month, implementation of the next steps is still uncertain.
The EU External Action Service document proposes expanding two EU civilian missions in the region, which previously focused on border assistance and support for Palestinian Authority (PA) policing and judicial reform.
The document also mentions the possibility of expanding the EU civilian border monitoring mission in Rafah to other border crossings.
However, implementation of the initiative remains uncertain, especially after Russia proposed its own draft resolution at the United Nations (UN) on Gaza.
The move is seen as a challenge to the US-backed resolution and recognition of Trump's plan.
The EU support mission has the potential to take the lead in training Palestinian police forces in Gaza. It is expected to provide training and direct support to some 3,000 police officers from Gaza, with the aim of training some 13,000 Palestinian police officers.
In addition, the training mission is expected to further strengthen security cooperation between the EU and the Palestinian Authority, as well as strengthen law enforcement structures in Gaza.
The proposal reflects the EU's commitment to post-conflict planning, where police officers are trained not only for patrolling, but also to play a role in rebuilding public institutions in Gaza.
