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Palestinian from Gaza reaches Europe after yearlong odyssey ending with 12-hour, 205-mile jet ski escape calculated with ChatGPT

A Palestinian man in his early thirties made a harrowing escape from Gaza to Europe by traveling from Libya to Italy on a jet ski in August 2025.
In April 2024, he escaped the devastation of the nearly two-year Israel-Hamas conflict by crossing into Egypt through the Rafah crossing, where he paid a fee of $5,000.
Abu Dakha made 10 failed attempts with smugglers before buying a used Yamaha jet ski online for $5,000 and $1,500 in equipment, setting sail with two others from al-Khoms, Libya.
The trio ran out of fuel 20 km shy of Lampedusa, called for help, and were rescued by a Romanian patrol boat under the EU's Frontex mission on August 18.
Abu Dakha now applies for asylum in Germany, hoping to reunite with his wife and two children, while his family remains displaced in a tent camp in Gaza after their home was destroyed.

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21 Articles

Daily Express

Lean Right

Insane moment migrants speed into Europe on £3,600 jet ski after 12-hour journey

The three immigrants paid £8,400 to make the 12-hour journey across the Mediterranean from Africa to an Italian island.

2 days ago·United Kingdom

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The Telegraph

Lean Right

Palestinians use jet ski to flee to Europe

After 10 failed crossing attempts with smugglers, three Gazans succeed with novel attempt to reach Europe

2 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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Reuters

+4 Reposted by 4 other sources

Center

From Gaza to Europe, via jet ski: Muhammad Abu Dakha's daring escape story

It took more than a year, several thousand dollars, ingenuity, setbacks and a jet ski: this is how Muhammad Abu Dakha, a 31-year-old Palestinian, managed to escape from Gaza to reach Europe.

2 days ago·United Kingdom

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The Independent

Lean Left

Man escapes Gaza using a jet ski to get to Europe – after trying China

Muhammad Abu Dakha, 31, documented his extraordinary, year-long journey

3 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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CBC News

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From Gaza to Europe via jet ski: A Palestinian man's daring attempt to flee the war

It took more than a year, several thousand dollars, ingenuity, setbacks and a jet ski: this is how Muhammad Abu Dakha, a 31-year-old Palestinian, managed to escape from Gaza to reach Europe.

4 days ago·Canada

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Indian Express

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Escaping Gaza: How a jet ski ride, ChatGPT calculations and online hustle led Palestinian man to Europe

His first destination was China, where he hoped to claim asylum, but after repeated setbacks he returned to Egypt, travelling via Malaysia and Indonesia.

4 days ago·India

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