From six in the morning, a large police operation involving over 70 officers has taken over the URSSA and EGA factories in Gasteiz. The objective was to identify and evict the approximately 120 people residing there, as well as to search their belongings.

Authorities have officially described the intervention as a "theft prevention operation." They suspect that some of the individuals living in these factories may be involved in several recent theft cases in Gasteiz. The homeless individuals have been given appointments at the Immigration Office to obtain an Alien Identification Number, but those without documentation risk facing deportation proceedings.

The factories were cleared by nine in the morning. However, according to some sources, residents may be allowed to return if they have an appointment with the police. These factories had been occupied by homeless people since 2024.

The operation occurs amidst rising tensions, particularly following an incident on May 13th when the Ertzaintza (Basque Police) directed several individuals towards the self-managed neighborhood of Errekaleor, leading to conflicts. Errekaleor subsequently reported a "serious attack" and expressed concerns for their "physical integrity."

The mayor of Gasteiz, Maider Etxeberria, has stated that these factories have become "foci of dirt and debris" and pose a risk of collapse, implying they would eventually be cleared.