Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has accused Russia and Israel of spreading disinformation that contributed to the recent migrant crisis in the Spanish North African exclave of Ceuta, a development that has intensified political tensions both domestically and within the European Union. The crisis saw more than 70,000 people cross into Ceuta from Morocco over a single day at the end of July, marking one of the most significant episodes of irregular migration into the EU in recent years. Authorities confirmed that at least 82 people died attempting the crossing, with some estimates placing the death toll higher.

Speaking on Cadena SER radio, Sánchez described the influx as a "hybrid attack," attributing the exacerbation of the situation to misinformation propagated on social media by networks linked to Russia, Israel, and far-right international groups known to exploit migration issues to challenge Spain and Europe more broadly. He pointed specifically to false claims surrounding a Spanish Supreme Court ruling from early July, which incorrectly suggested migrants arriving by sea could not be immediately returned to Morocco. Sánchez said this misinformation was initially spread by human traffickers and then amplified by Russian and Israeli social media accounts once the crisis began.

While Sánchez rejected any involvement of the Moroccan government in orchestrating the influx, stating that Spanish intelligence and cooperation with Rabat had been “frankly positive” and that there was no evidence implicating Moroccan authorities, he acknowledged the ongoing challenges that remain. Approximately 5,000 migrants are still in Ceuta, where recent days have seen outbreaks of violence and growing frustration among local residents who accuse the central government of neglect.

Sánchez’s comments also reflected broader geopolitical tensions. He noted that Russian disinformation efforts coincided with Spain's firm stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while Israeli involvement allegedly stemmed from criticism of Sánchez’s condemnation of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has strained bilateral relations.

The allegations were met with strong rebuttals. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called Sánchez’s claims “brazen lies” and accused the prime minister of attempting to deflect blame for his government’s handling of the crisis. The Kremlin similarly denied any role, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissing the accusations.

The European Union’s diplomatic service, the External Action Service (EEAS), reportedly conducted analyses that confirmed Russian actors were involved in disseminating misinformation related to Ceuta, though officials clarified there was no evidence Russia sought to directly encourage the migration flow itself.

The Ceuta crisis has also sparked diplomatic repercussions within the EU. Italy extended a suspension of visa-free Schengen travel with Spain due to ongoing concerns about border management, while diplomatic dialogue continues over how to address the broader migration challenges affecting EU member states.

Prime Minister Sánchez is expected to face parliamentary scrutiny over his government’s response, as public criticism mounts at home and the future management of Ceuta’s complex situation remains uncertain.