Ceuta Migrant Surge Brings First Palestinians

In recent weeks, the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta in North Africa has witnessed the arrival of its first Palestinians who swam to its shores from Morocco and requested asylum in Spain. So far, only three Palestinian migrants have been registered, but their presence raises questions about the routes they are using and whether Rabat could once again instrumentalize migratory pressure to secure political or economic concessions from Spain and the European Union. The memory of May 2021 and August 2024—when Morocco facilitated the entry of thousands of migrants amid a diplomatic crisis—remains vivid in the autonomous city.

An extraordinarily large group of migrants attempting to reach the Spanish enclave this past weekend, consisting mostly of Moroccans and sub-Saharan Africans. Among them were minors, adults in regular clothing, others in wetsuits with makeshift flotation devices, and even some carrying mobile phones around their necks.

The Levante wind, typical of this time of year in the Strait of Gibraltar, generates a thick night fog that prevents Guardia Civil patrol boats from detecting swimmers in time. This phenomenon, well known to human trafficking networks, is compounded by encouragement spread through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, where young people who have successfully crossed share tips and videos urging others to follow their example.

In the latest surge, dozens managed to bypass the fences along Morocco’s seafront promenade and ventured into open waters to avoid the breakwaters, significantly increasing the risk of drowning. According to official sources, at least 16 people have died in these waters so far this year.

The Prosecutor’s Office in Tétouan is investigating a network allegedly organizing mass departures from Castillejos. While Morocco has reinforced part of the fencing and maintained maritime patrols, it has not fully succeeded in stopping the flow.

Overcrowded facilities and political alarm

The Temporary Migrant Reception Centre (CETI) now hosts over 800 people, and the minors’ centre operates at four times its capacity. Among the residents are Moroccans, sub-Saharaners, Algerians, Pakistanis, Afghans, Colombians, and now Palestinians. The arrival of the latter introduces a new element of uncertainty, potentially heralding a larger influx if the war in Gaza continues to force displacement.

Security experts warn that migratory pressure, coupled with the weakness of reinforcements sent by Spain’s Ministry of the Interior, leaves Ceuta in a vulnerable position—exposed to Morocco using migration as a tool of pressure against Madrid and Brussels.