Particle.news
Get it on Google Play
Download on the App Store
21 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

Spain Says Russian and Israeli-Linked Networks Spread Disinformation in Ceuta Crisis

Madrid cited EU diplomatic research to blame online hoaxes for triggering the late‑July border surge and warned the claims have deepened diplomatic and domestic strain.

Residents carrying Spanish flags take part in a protest demanding government action to restore normality in the city and calling for the resignation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in the North African Spanish city of Ceuta, on August 30, 2026. Tensions have been high in the territory of 80,000 inhabitants since tens of thousands of people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco over several days in July, triggering a Europe-wide migrant alert. Picture: Antonio Sempere / AFP
Residents carrying Spanish flags take part in a protest demanding government action and calling for the resignation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in the North African Spanish city of Ceuta, August 30, 2026. (Antonio Sempere / AFP)
Image
Migrants sleep on the Trampolin Beach following recent mass crossings of migrants from Morocco to Ceuta, Spain, September 2, 2026. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Overview

  • An unprecedented wave of roughly 70,000–72,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on July 30–31, creating chaotic scenes, scores of deaths and large-scale returns to Morocco.
  • Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told Cadena SER that research by the European External Action Service pointed to social‑media networks linked to Russia, Israel and far‑right actors that spread false claims about Spain’s deportation rules and encouraged crossings.
  • Sánchez also said Spanish intelligence has found no evidence that Moroccan authorities organised the surge and the EEAS has not publicly released full details of the research while Israel and Russia have rejected the accusations.
  • On the ground, several thousand migrants remain in Ceuta in makeshift camps, local services are overwhelmed, prosecutors have opened investigations including into sexual assaults, and residents have staged protests and attacked shelters.
  • The crisis has prompted emergency measures and funding from Madrid and the EU, temporary Schengen border checks by some states, growing domestic political pressure on Sánchez ahead of elections, and the risk of wider diplomatic fallout.