{
  "id": 4649001,
  "title": "Spain PM blames Russia, Israel for Ceuta migrant crisis’ disinformation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/spain-pm-blames-russia-israel-for-ceuta-migrant-crisis-disinformation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T13:39:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3365881/spain-pm-blames-russia-israel-ceuta-migrant-crisis-disinformation"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attributed the disinformation surrounding Spain's migration policy to Russia and Israel, which allegedly spread misleading claims via social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. These claims encouraged migrants to attempt crossing from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish territory at the EU's only land border with Africa. Over 72,000 irregular migrants crossed Ceuta between July 30 and 31, leading to the deaths of at least 100 people. Sanchez denied any involvement of Moroccan authorities in the crisis, stating that the EU's diplomatic service had found evidence of Russian and Israeli networks, along with far-right networks, spreading disinformation in conjunction with the crisis. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar dismissed Sanchez's accusations, calling them \"shameless,\" in an attempt to divert attention from domestic policy failures. Since the border surge, approximately 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, causing protests and attacks against a migrant camp at El Trampolin beach. Spanish government announced €168 million in emergency funds to revitalize Ceuta's economy, which is 8% of the enclave's GDP, on top of €180 million pledged for medium-term recovery efforts.",
  "summary": "Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday there were signs Russia and Israel had spread the disinformation over Spain’s migration policy that triggered last month’s rush of migrants into Ceuta, but no evidence of Moroccan involvement. Over 72,000 migrants irregularly crossed from Morocco into the tiny Spanish territory between July 30 and 31 in an unprecedented surge at one of the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Local Spain",
        "title": "Another day of protests in Ceuta mark a month since migrant influx",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/another-day-of-protests-in-ceuta-mark-a-month-since-migrant-influx",
        "published": "2026-08-31T11:47:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}