Ceuta Migrant Crisis: US and Israel Accused of Hybrid War Against Spain
In late July 2026, approximately 60,000 Moroccans entered Spain's Ceuta enclave, aided by Moroccan authorities amid speculation of a border opening. This influx followed a July 8 ruling by Spain's Supreme Court that prohibited summary deportations, which created an opening for smugglers. Tragically, at least 88 individuals lost their lives, including 13 children and Faten Ben Omar El Azizi, a promising Moroccan football player. While many migrants returned to Morocco, thousands from other African countries chose to remain. This event is tied to escalating tensions between Spain and the US/Israel regarding Spain's position on Gaza and military operations against Iran. The EU's reaction was varied, with Italy's Giorgia Meloni proposing Spain's exclusion from Schengen and 22 nations criticizing Spain's immigration policies.
Key facts
- An estimated 60,000 Moroccans crossed into Ceuta, Spain, in late July 2026, overwhelming the city of 84,000.
- The influx occurred over approximately 36 hours, with Moroccan police reportedly encouraging migrants to enter.
- At least 88 people died, including 13 children, and a young Moroccan women's football prospect, Faten Ben Omar El Azizi, drowned.
- Spain's Supreme Court ruling on July 8, 2026, barred summary deportation of migrants arriving by sea, creating an operational void.
- Social media rumors that the border was open preceded the crisis, and smuggling networks exploited the situation.
- US congressional reports have described Ceuta and Melilla as 'located on Moroccan territory' and called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to mediate.
- Morocco named a highway after President Trump, and Israeli and US social media accounts have spread claims that the enclaves belong to Morocco.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for Spain's exclusion from Schengen, and 22 EU countries signed a letter criticizing Spain's immigration policies.
Entities
Institutions
- US Congress
- US House Appropriations Committee
- US State Department
- Spanish Supreme Court
- Spanish Interior Ministry
- Moroccan authorities
- El País
- El Diario
- Le Grand Continent
- Reuters
- Bloomberg
- Middle East Forum
- VOX
- People's Party (PP)
- Sumar
- Podemos
- European Union
- Schengen Area
- NATO
- United Nations
- Moghreb Atlético de Tétouan
- BlackCore
- Team Jorge
Locations
- Ceuta
- Spain
- Morocco
- Melilla
- Western Sahara
- Algeria
- Algiers
- Strait of Gibraltar
- Gibraltar
- Tangiers
- Oujda
- Chafarinas archipelago
- Tarajal beach
- San Pedro Hospital in Logroño
- Miami
- Florida
- Canary Islands
- Italy
- Denmark
- Austria
- Finland
- Czech Republic
- Sweden
- Germany
- Belgium
- Poland
- Portugal
- Greece
- Lampedusa
- Israel
- United States
- Washington
- Dakhla-Tiznit highway
- Red Sea
- Cuba
- Guam
- Philippines
- Puerto Rico