• Source:JND
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For many in Gaza, the dream of safety and stability often collides with the harsh reality of closed borders and dangerous journeys. But for 29-year-old Palestinian Abu Dakha, desperation pushed him to devise a bold, unconventional escape: crossing the Mediterranean Sea on a jet ski.

Abu Dakha’s odyssey began in April 2024 when he crossed from Rafah into Egypt, paying USD 5,000 for passage. From there, he travelled across Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and finally China, where he hoped to seek asylum. But with no breakthrough, he returned to Egypt, continuing his search for a way out.

He eventually made his way to Libya, a hub for migrants seeking passage to Europe despite its notoriety for abuse and exploitation by traffickers. After ten failed attempts to cross the Mediterranean with smugglers, Dakha abandoned the traditional routes. Determined to take control of his destiny, he purchased a used Yamaha jet ski for about $5,000 on a Libyan marketplace. He then invested another USD 1,500 in survival gear, including a GPS, satellite phone, and life jackets.

Perilous Journey Across The Mediterranean

In August, Dakha set out with two fellow Palestinians, 27-year-old Diaa and 23-year-old Bassem. They towed a dinghy packed with supplies and documented the entire trip through videos, photos, and audio files later shared with Reuters.

At one point, a Tunisian patrol boat pursued them, underscoring the risks of their daring attempt. They even relied on ChatGPT to calculate fuel requirements for the 12-hour journey. Yet, despite their planning, their fuel ran out just 15–20 km from Lampedusa, Italy.

“We stayed there, stranded,” Dakha recalled. “I contacted my relative in Germany, who reached out to the coast guard… Less than an hour later, the Italian coast guard helped us, with all respect to them.”

Story That Echoes Thousands of Others

While Dakha’s escape was unique, it reflects a broader migration crisis. UN and human rights groups report that thousands of migrants face exploitation in Libya while attempting crossings. Despite the dangers, Italy recorded at least 47,000 arrivals by sea from Libya and Tunisia up to September this year alone.

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For Dakha, the decision to chart his own course was born out of repeated failure and mounting risk. His escape underscores both the ingenuity and desperation of people fleeing conflict zones like Gaza.