EU weighs plan to train Palestinian police force for deployment in Gaza

EU foreign ministers are set to meet next week to examine a proposal for the bloc to take charge of training 3,000 Palestinian police officers, a plan that would eventually place the force inside Gaza, according to a new report.

A paper circulated by the EU’s diplomatic service ahead of the 20 November meeting outlines ways the bloc could support the 20-point Gaza framework promoted by US President Donald Trump.

The document, seen by Reuters, says the EU’s policing mission could “take leadership in training the Palestinian police force in Gaza by providing direct training and support to approximately 3,000 Palestinian police officers [on the Palestinian Authority payroll] from Gaza, with a view to training the full 13,000 Palestinian police force”.

The paper also suggests expanding the EU’s border monitoring mission in Rafah to other crossing points, though it concedes that it is far from clear whether any of these steps can move forward — especially as Gaza remains under Israeli siege and bombardment, leaving the enclave without functioning institutions.

Meanwhile, Russia has tabled its own draft UN resolution on Gaza, openly challenging Washington’s push to secure Security Council backing for Trump’s plan.