The Ceuta crossings have shaken Europe politically, exposing divisions over the sensitive issue of migration, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford writes.

Spain’s Ceuta crisis follows years of Israeli and U.S. rhetoric and pressure toward Madrid as Morocco’s border failure remains unexplained.

People in Ceuta, Spain, walk toward the country's border with Morocco July 31, 2026, leaving Spain amid mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory. The Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta offered emergency resources to civil authorities July 31 as more than 40,

The scale of the mass movement was compounded by three things: a ruling this month from Spain’s Supreme Court giving deportation protections to people who swim into the territory, widespread videos on social media of those making the journey and the apparent acquiescence of Moroccan border guards.

Up to 5,000 migrants remained scattered across the beaches, industrial estates and streets of Ceuta, officials estimated on Monday. Two migrant reception centres – one for adults and another for minors – had "collapsed", the local mayor said.

Most of the migrants returned to Morocco after as many as 60,000 overwhelmed the tiny Spanish territory of Ceuta.

The pro-immigration leader is facing backlash at home and abroad after roughly 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave.