Spanish PM accuses Israel, Russia of spreading disinformation around Ceuta migrant crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated that investigations are ongoing into how over 70,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco. According to Sánchez, the majority of these individuals returned to Morocco within hours, but around 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, including approximately 1,200 minors. The influx has put pressure on the Spanish territory, leading to concerns over security, overcrowding, and sanitation.

Sánchez has accused Israel and Russia of spreading disinformation around the Ceuta migrant crisis, suggesting that they encouraged the breach of migrants into the Spanish enclave to punish Madrid for its stances on the Gaza and Ukraine wars, citing EU research. He has also emphasized the importance of cooperation with Morocco to resolve the crisis.

The situation in Ceuta has led to demonstrations by residents over the challenges posed by the migrant influx. King Felipe VI is set to visit the Spanish enclave when circumstances allow. According to Spain in English, Sánchez defended Morocco's response to the emergency and dismissed speculation that the authorities in Rabat had deliberately facilitated the crossings.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Times of Israel, Spain in English — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.