As many as 60,000 migrants have surged from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African coast. Video footage shows these individuals—described by observers as military-age men similar to those who entered the United States during Biden’s presidency—attacking homes and breaking into stores as police and now the army struggle to control the situation.
Social media users speculate that the invasion was encouraged by Israel and the United States. They reference a 2024 report from the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, which noted Ceuta belongs to Morocco following an incident where Spanish protesters burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Additionally, a 2019 X post by Netanyahu’s son, Yair, urged “Arab and Muslims” to invade Ceuta.
The invasion began on July 29, coinciding with King Mohammed VII’s pardon of over 1,500 Moroccan criminals. Reports indicate the migrant influx has reached at least 60,000—three to five times the size of a U.S. Army division—with some estimates placing it as high as 80,000.
Video shows trucks delivering migrants at the border and overwhelmed police attempting to prevent looting and home invasions. Some invaders have turned back due to hunger, while others report severe injuries and being beaten by authorities. Zakaria Lahmer, a 23-year-old migrant with burns on his right leg, told reporters he was beaten by Moroccan police when trying to leave the country: “I don’t want to live in Morocco, I want to live in Europe. I want a job, I want happiness.”
The colony’s approximately 83,000 residents are reportedly terrified, particularly following incidents in Germany during New Year’s 2015-2016 where Arabs and North Africans sexually assaulted over 1,200 women.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez deployed troops to the region after the crisis escalated. Residents of Ceuta have booed Sanchez upon his visit. The White House has previously blamed Europe’s “far-left, globalist policies” for enabling mass migration, while Stephen Miller, a former policy advisor under President Trump, warned that Democrats would “see your home trampled and stolen by invaders.”
Spain condemned Israel’s military occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, burning an effigy of Netanyahu on April 5. In response, Netanyahu stated: “Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us.” He further claimed Spain had defamed Israeli soldiers.
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee’s 2027 bill recognizes Ceuta as Moroccan territory, citing a historic alliance between the United States and Morocco established in 1786. This aligns with Yair Netanyahu’s 2019 X post urging Muslims to retake Ceuta and Melilla.
The crisis has raised alarms about potential spread to other Spanish territories such as the Canary Islands or Tarifa, with warnings that today’s situation could become tomorrow’s disaster.