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British couple's message in a bottle reaches Gaza fisherman after 500-mile journey

Palestinian fisherman Jihad al-Soltan with the message he found in a bottle  - Anadolu
Palestinian fisherman Jihad al-Soltan with the message he found in a bottle - Anadolu

A message in a bottle dropped in the ocean by a British couple has been found by a fisherman in Gaza after a 500-mile journey.

Bethany Wright, a university student, said it was “incredible” the bottle she sent with her boyfriend, Zac Marriner, while on holiday in the Greek island of Rhodes, was found so far away.

Gaza  - Credit: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty
The message in a bottle was found in Gaza Credit: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty

"It was certainly incredible that our bottle was found at all, let alone on a beach in Gaza," she told The Telegraph.

"So tragic the situation there means people are so cut off, but the bottle reaching there illustrates greatly how we are just all one world, all connected by one ocean and loved by one God."

It was picked up by Palestinian fisherman Jihad al-Soltan, who got in contact with the stunned couple via an email address written on a letter inside the bottle.

Jihad al-Soltan displays a letter after he found it in a bottle - Credit: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty
Jihad al-Soltan displays a letter after he found it in a bottle Credit: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty

"Hello, Thank you for picking up this bottle. As a reward here are some magic flowers," the couple wrote in their letter.

"We are currently on holiday on Rhodes and we would love to know how far this bottle got, even if it's just the next beach," said the letter inside, signed "Faithfully, Zac and Beth".

Jihad al-Soltan  - Credit: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty
Jihad al-Soltan at work Credit: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency/Getty

Soltan told Reuters he was pleased the bottle made it to Gaza past an Israeli naval blockade and fishing zone restrictions.

"As a fisherman I felt this letter travelled through borders and international waters without restrictions while we as fishermen are unable to go beyond six miles," he said. "I hope one day we would become as free as this bottle was."