Spain Braces for Second Mass Rush Into Ceuta

"We'll continue to deploy whatever personnel are necessary to restore normality as soon as possible and prevent events like those of July 30 from happening again," Grande-Marlaska said. He added that people who entered irregularly would not be allowed to stay in the enclave, travel to mainland Spain or obtain legal status, except in rare cases of extreme vulnerability, and that Spain would return those without a right to remain to Morocco.

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said the border remains closed and any attempt to breach it will be repelled, according to the Washington Examiner.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, a center-left leader elected on a hard line against mass immigration, told her parliament that Europe faces a threat from within. "If we talk about undemocratic forces, yes, then Russia is our biggest enemy. The problem is that a major enemy has started to grow from within, and it is foreigners who have come to Europe," she said. "It is Hamas supporters. It is people who commit terror against European societies." She added that Europe is threatened "because of people with an Islamic background who do not want the open, free European society."

Italy imposed border checks with Spain last week. When Madrid objected, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office said: "Italy does not accept ultimatums or demands from abroad regarding national security and border control."

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called proposals to penalize Spain over the crossings "selfish, polarising and unlawful."

A European Commission spokesman said: "For us, it's not about a specific date. It's about reinforcing our borders and ensuring returns every day of the year."

Migrants who made it across told Reuters not to follow them. Driss Sadik, 22, from Fez, swam five hours to reach Ceuta: "The important thing I would advise people trying to cross: Don't cross now, my brothers. You're only going to suffer." Adil Jamil, 17, said the rushes were "planned by the people" — a day chosen, a gathering in Fnideq, a crossing together for strength in numbers. "Those who enter aren't going to benefit from anything," he said.