On the 30th and 31st July 2026, nearly 80,000 people attempted to cross into Ceuta from Morocco. At least 141 drowned. Months later, Ceuta remains mired in a humanitarian, social, and political crisis.
While tens of thousands of people returned or were sent back shortly after the crossing, thousands of migrants—including about 2,500 unaccompanied minors—still live in makeshift camps, on streets, or on beaches. The city has become a powder keg with residents conflicted between solidarity and suspicion toward the newcomers.
Many of those who crossed did so driven by the false promises of a future with open doors in Europe, which never materialised. In the 21st century, migrants have become pawns in the new hybrid wars that seek to pressure and destabilise Europe without the need for actual conflict. Who was behind the social media messages? Could it happen again?