Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton visited Egypt’s Rafah border crossing with the beseiged Gaza Strip on Tuesday to meet organisations that send humanitarian aid to the territory.
The 41-year-old Ferrari driver landed in El Arish, where North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer met him. Megawer said the trip aimed to show Hamilton Egypt’s efforts to send aid to Gaza. Hamilton toured the crossing, then visited logistics warehouses run by the Egyptian Red Crescent, which helps move aid into Gaza. Officials briefed him on how workers prepare and coordinate the supplies.
At the crossing, Hamilton greeted aid workers with “assalamu alaikum.” He shook hands and spoke briefly with workers and officials.
Hamilton has spoken out about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and has called for peace. He has often posted on social media about children killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
In October, he said the world must push to “free Congo, free Sudan, free Syria, free Palestine.” He added that he hopes peace comes at some stage.
A ceasefire agreement reached last year halted major combat operations in Gaza. However, Israel continues to commit genocide in Gaza despite the ceasefire.
According to reports, Israeli forces have expanded their control from 53 percent of the territory to at least 60 percent since the ceasefire began. Reports added that said Israeli firing along the advancing front has killed at least 196 Palestinians, including 18 women, 32 boys and 11 girls.
The visit comes two days after Hamilton made his 400th Formula One start at Sunday’s São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos. He debuted with McLaren in 2007 and was the first black driver in the sport. Only his former teammate Fernando Alonso has started more races. Alonso reached 400 in 2024.
