Picture Credits: Reuters
Muhammad Abu Dakha, a 31-year-old Palestinian from Gaza, pulled off an escape that sounds like a movie. He fled the Gaza Strip and made it all the way to Europe – by jet ski. Yes, by jet ski. It took more than a year, a lot of cash, tricks, heartbreaks, and raw guts, as reported by Reuters.
Here’s what he went through. In April 2024, Abu Dakha crossed the Rafah border into Egypt, paying about $5,000 to get out of Gaza. He hoped China would grant asylum, so he traveled through Malaysia and Indonesia, trying to make it happen. When China didn’t pan out, he ended up in Libya, where the migrant path is notoriously dangerous and unpredictable.
After 10 failed attempts trying to cross to Europe by boat or other means, he bought a used Yamaha jet ski for about $5,000. He also got gear – GPS, a satellite phone, life vests – for another $1,500. Along with two companions, Diaa (27) and Bassem (23), he set off from al-Khoms, Libya, towing a dinghy loaded with supplies. They stayed alert for hours via jet ski, battling sea, waves, patrols. They even outran a Tunisian patrol boat at one point.
They planned it all using ChatGPT, which helped them estimate how much fuel they’d need. Still, they ran out about 20 kilometers short of Lampedusa. Luckily they were able to call for help, and a Frontex patrol rescued them. Their journey didn’t end there. They were ferried to Sicily, then mainland Italy, and eventually made it to Germany where Abu Dakha has applied for asylum. His wife and two kids are still in Gaza.
Throughout his journey, Abu Dakha documented everything – videos, photos, audio files – and shared them with Reuters. His father, speaking from Gaza, says Abu Dakha had a small internet shop before the war, but it all collapsed. He left everything behind in hopes of bringing his children to safety.
This isn’t just a travel tale. It’s a raw reminder of what people will risk when desperation meets determination. It highlights broken borders, migrant routes, and what people endure simply to escape conflict. And it shows how human stories live between lines on a map—where hope, fear, and courage collide.