Arabic version: وفيات مهاجرين في سبتة تغذي التكهنات بشأن إسبانيا وإسرائيل

According to Al Jazeera, at least 57 migrants died earlier this week while attempting to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Tens of thousands of people entered Ceuta over 24 hours, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez describing the episode as a “violation of territorial integrity”. News reports cited by the article said many migrants had said social media posts encouraged them to make the journey.

The events have drawn attention to Spain’s relationship with Israel and Morocco. Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon wrote on X that Spain had declared an emergency in Ceuta, and questioned why it maintained what he called colonial enclaves in Africa. Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s two enclaves on the African mainland, are claimed by Morocco. Spain recognised the State of Palestine in 2024 and has increasingly criticised Israel, while also cancelling major arms deals, the article said.

Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente responded to Danon on X: “Well, everything is getting to be pretty clear.” The Al Jazeera opinion article said this appeared to refer to speculation that Israel may have had a role in the mass arrival as retaliation for Spain’s positions. It noted that the speculation had been amplified by statements from Israeli officials and pro-Israel commentators, while adding that whether Israel was involved remained unresolved.

The article cited a March piece by former Pentagon official Michael Rubin calling for Moroccans to enter Ceuta and Melilla, and a Ynet News dispatch by Amine Ayoub proposing that Israel help Morocco reclaim the enclaves. Ayoub linked the idea to Spain’s strained relations with the United States after Spain denied US access to its military bases during the US-Israel war on Iran. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, used the Ceuta events to criticise Sanchez’s government and warn about immigration in the United States.