Who is Muhammad Abu Dakha? From Gaza to Europe, His Daring Jet Ski Escape Story

Muhammad Abu Dakha, a 31-year-old Palestinian from Gaza, has made international headlines after his extraordinary escape from war-torn Gaza to Europe. His story, marked by resilience, risk, and desperation, sheds light on the struggles of thousands of Palestinians forced to flee their homeland in search of safety and hope.

Who is Muhammad Abu Dakha? Early Life in Gaza

Born and raised in Gaza, Abu Dakha lived through years of conflict and restrictions. Before the war intensified, he ran an internet shop in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, where life, though difficult, was financially stable. He had built a livelihood and supported his family, including his wife and two young children.

But the Israel-led war, which by 2025 had claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and displaced countless families, destroyed his home and business. His family was forced to move into a tent camp in Khan Younis, where conditions were dire. This devastation pushed him to take drastic steps toward survival.

The First Attempt: From Gaza to Egypt

In April 2024, Abu Dakha managed to cross into Egypt via the Rafah border, paying smugglers $5,000. His goal was to find asylum. His journey initially took him far east—to China, through Malaysia and Indonesia. But after failing to secure asylum there, he returned to Egypt. His correspondence with the UNHCR in China during this period confirms his attempts to seek international protection.

Libya: A Risky Stop for Migrants

Like many others, Abu Dakha eventually ended up in Libya, a country infamous for migrant exploitation by militias and traffickers. He made 10 failed attempts to cross the Mediterranean with smugglers, losing both money and hope each time.

Determined to try differently, he purchased a used Yamaha jet ski for $5,000 via a Libyan marketplace. He also bought safety gear—life jackets, a satellite phone, GPS, and extra fuel—spending another $1,500.

The Jet Ski Escape to Europe

On August 17, 2025, accompanied by two other young Palestinians, Diaa (27) and Bassem (23), Abu Dakha set off from al-Khoms, Libya, toward Lampedusa, Italy, a journey of about 350 km.

They towed a small dinghy with supplies, avoided a Tunisian patrol boat, and relied on ChatGPT calculations for fuel estimates. After 12 hours at sea, they ran out of fuel just 20 km short of their destination.

Luckily, they managed to call for help. A Romanian patrol boat working under Frontex, the EU’s border agency, rescued them and brought them to Lampedusa on August 18, 2025.

UNHCR confirmed their arrival, calling it an “unusual occurrence” in migrant crossings.

From Italy to Germany

After being processed in Lampedusa, the group was transferred by ferry to Sicily and later put on a bus to Genoa. But Abu Dakha escaped before reaching the camp. He later flew to Brussels on August 23 and then travelled by train to Cologne and Osnabrueck, Germany, where a relative picked him up.

Now, Abu Dakha has applied for asylum in Germany. He is currently living in a migrant centre in Bramsche, Lower Saxony, waiting for his case to be heard.

Family and Motivation

Back in Gaza, his parents, wife, and two children remain displaced in a camp. His father, Abdrabuh Souliman Abu Dakha, told Reuters that his son had once lived comfortably before losing everything in the war.

Abu Dakha says his biggest motivation was to save his children, especially one who suffers from a neurological condition needing medical care.

“That’s why I risked my life on a jet ski. Without my family, life has no meaning,” he told Reuters.

Legacy of Hope and Desperation

Abu Dakha’s journey is more than a personal tale—it highlights the extreme measures Palestinians are forced to take under war and displacement. His daring escape has become a symbol of both desperation and determination, showing how far a father will go to protect his family.