Reuters reports that approximately 49,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in the past 24 hours, according to the source. Or Ben Yechzekel, a commentator on the channel, argued that the influx effectively means Ceuta has been conquered by Muslims, noting the enclave's population of 83,000 Spaniards and 40% Arabic speakers.
A commentator on a source covering the Arab world argued Friday morning that the massive migrant influx into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta effectively means the enclave has been 'conquered by Muslims.' Or Ben Yechzekel, citing the Reuters report that estimated 49,000 migrants entered in 24 hours, noted that Ceuta's population of 83,000 Spaniards includes 40% Arabic speakers. The claim is a personal opinion, not a verified assessment. The figure cited was later updated to 50,000 by i24NEWS correspondent Amichai Stein on Thursday evening.
The migrant surge began escalating Thursday evening, when Spain announced a troop deployment to secure the border. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government was mobilizing all resources. Spain later deployed 60 security personnel to the enclave. Spanish estimates then reported approximately 49,000 migrants had entered in 24 hours, a figure that i24NEWS updated to 50,000. As The Zioneer reported earlier this morning, the crisis has strained local resources and prompted repatriation agreements between Spain and Morocco.
The broader context includes unconfirmed reports of at least 18 deaths during the crossing, and reports of migrants entering homes without permission. The Zioneer also reported on Friday morning that Moroccan authorities have been observed not intervening as migrants unload from trucks near the border. The crisis comes amid Spain's larger immigration policy, including a mass regularization program that received 1.3 million applications, far exceeding expectations.
The analyst's claim remains an opinion, not an on-the-ground assessment. The exact number of migrants is still an estimate, and the situation continues to evolve. The effectiveness of the repatriation agreement between Spain and Morocco is not yet clear.
6 developments
- StrongCeuta's population surges 60% as 50,000 migrants arrive in days
- DevelopingAbu Ali Express: Spanish police, soldiers not intervening in Ceuta as migrants mock authorities
- DevelopingCeuta migrants seek places to sleep without property owners' consent, reports say
- DevelopingThe source: 'New Spaniards' in Ceuta cheer for Spain, Sánchez; 'no doubt who is responsible for the invasion'
Source and signal
- Open-source intake