F1 champion Hamilton urges Israel to let aid into Gaza after Rafah visit

Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion, visited the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip this week and then called on Israel to let humanitarian aid in. “The past three years of Israel’s genocide in Gaza is appalling,” the British driver wrote on Instagram, where he has 44 million followers, ESPN reported.

In Egypt, Hamilton was received by Khaled Megawer, the governor of North Sinai. He toured Egyptian Red Crescent logistics warehouses from which aid is sent into Gaza. The governor said the visit was meant to show Egypt’s efforts to deliver aid to Gaza.

What Hamilton wrote

“At the Rafah border, I saw food trucks lined up ready to go, but they’re regularly not allowed in or face major delays,” Hamilton wrote. “The first driver in line that I spoke to had already been waiting over 12 hours.”

He said that at the logistics centre he had also seen items rejected “for crazy reasons”, including sleeping bags, first aid kits, medical equipment, wheelchairs and footballs for children. “Israel needs to fulfil its obligations under the ceasefire and let the aid trucks in. No excuse,” he wrote.

“I don’t want us to get used to their suffering. I don’t want us to look away,” Hamilton added.

Israel’s position

Israel denies accusations of genocide and says its military campaign in Gaza targets militants of Hamas, which it calls a terrorist group. Hamilton, who has driven for Ferrari since 2025, called for a “Free Palestine” at a news conference before the United States Grand Prix in October, ESPN noted.

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