Lewis Hamilton is speaking out about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza after visiting the Rafah border crossing in Egypt, where he witnessed trucks loaded with food and essential supplies waiting for permission to enter.
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The seven time Formula 1 world champion and Ferrari driver shared his experience on Instagram this week, calling on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and stop delaying deliveries.
Hamilton, who is also a skateboarder with a connection to skate culture, used his platform to bring attention to the situation and the suffering of Palestinian civilians.
In his Instagram post, Hamilton described the past three years of Israel's actions in Gaza as appalling. He spoke about the injustice of people being denied their freedom, safety and dignity, adding that no human being should be treated as though their life matters less.
During his visit, Hamilton saw rows of food trucks waiting at the Rafah crossing. He spoke with one driver who had already been waiting for more than 12 hours, despite carrying supplies intended for people who urgently need assistance.
He also visited the Egyptian Red Crescent's aid warehouses and logistics centre, where he saw essential items being rejected, including sleeping bags, first aid kits, medical equipment, wheelchairs and even footballs for children.
Hamilton described seeing walls stretching for miles around the crossing and said the situation made him think about getting inside Gaza to help those in need.
He also called on Israel to fulfil its obligations under the ceasefire and allow aid deliveries to reach Gaza without unnecessary delays. He expressed frustration over the suffering of civilians and the helplessness felt by people watching the situation unfold.
Israel strongly denies accusations of genocide and maintains that its military campaign in Gaza targets Hamas militants.
For Hamilton, speaking out is another example of how he uses his public platform outside Formula 1. His connection to skateboarding also gives his voice a place within a wider community that extends beyond racing, with many people in skate culture using their platforms to discuss social issues and humanitarian causes.
Hamilton ended his message by saying he does not want people to become accustomed to the suffering in Gaza or look away from what is happening.
Hamilton Posted:
"The past three years of Israel’s genocide in Gaza is appalling. It’s an injustice for people to being denied their freedom, their safety and their dignity. No human being should be treated as though their life matters less.
I saw walls stretching for miles, built to keep them in. Standing there, outside what felt like an open-air prison, all I could think about was getting in to help.
At Rafah border, I saw food trucks lined up ready to go, but they’re regularly not allowed in or face major delays. The first driver in line that I spoke to had already been waiting over 12 hours. At the nearby logistics centre, I saw the hard work of the aid workers, but I also saw what gets rejected for crazy reasons. Sleeping bags, first aid kits, medical equipment, wheelchairs, even footballs for kids.
Israel needs to fulfil its obligations under the ceasefire and let the aid trucks in. No excuse.
I know so many people feel that same helplessness. That same need to do something rather than just watch. I don’t want us to get used to their suffering. I don’t want us to look away."