Spanish PM says Morocco not responsible for Ceuta border breach, blames Israel and Russia for disinformation

Madrid – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Thursday that there is no evidence linking the Moroccan government to the mass crossing of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at the end of July, while accusing Israel and Russia of disseminating false information about the episode. Sánchez emphasized that Spain and Morocco are cooperating closely on border security and humanitarian response, noting that the two nations have intensified joint patrols and established a rapid‑response framework to manage future flows. He rejected claims that the Moroccan authorities had orchestrated the operation, describing them as “unfounded” and stressing that the focus must remain on saving lives and providing assistance to the estimated 70,000 men, women and children who attempted the crossing.

The incident, which left as many as 141 people dead while trying to reach the European Union, sparked a political crisis in Spain and heightened tensions across the bloc over migration policy. The humanitarian emergency prompted calls for a coordinated EU response, with officials warning that the lack of a unified strategy could exacerbate similar surges. Sánchez concluded that combating disinformation and reinforcing collaborative security measures are essential to address both the immediate fallout and the broader challenges posed by irregular migration.