More than 48,000 of the 60,000 migrants who entered Ceuta have voluntarily returned to Morocco, Spanish officials have said. In the wake of the influx, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rushed to Ceuta where he accused traffickers of exploiting a recent supreme court decision that constrained the government's right to immediately deport people who had arrived by sea. But "in immediate practical terms this episode was encouraged by Moroccan border guards' readiness to stand aside and allow anyone" into the territory, writes Africa analyst Paul Melly, "whatever the risks". At least 57 people are reported to have died, many seemingly drowned. The "question is why Morocco allowed its normally efficient forces to take such a laissez faire approach", he notes.

The plan for Hamas to disarm "is potentially a rare chink of light in a bleak picture", writes international editor Jeremy Bowen. "Hamas has never agreed to disarm before now. Handled carefully and well, there is a chance now to make diplomatic progress." But he cautions "there are many reasons" why the agreement might not work. "The realities of politics, war, zero trust, the deaths of thousands and the destruction of Gaza make the process very complicated," he adds.