Lewis Hamilton demands Israel allows aid into Gaza after Rafah visit: ‘No excuse’

Lewis Hamilton has said Israel must let aid trucks into Gaza in a passionate Instagram post, a day after he toured the Rafah border crossing in Egypt.The seven-time Formula One world champion arrived in El Arish on Tuesday, and during the trip he was briefed on how aid is prepared and coordinated before it is sent into Gaza, as he toured the Rafah crossing and the Egyptian Red Crescent's aid warehouses.Following the visit, Hamilton took to Instagram to send a clear message to Israel and his 44.4 million followers."The past three years of Israel's genocide in Gaza is appalling. It's an injustice for people to be denied their freedom, their safety and their dignity. No human being should be treated as though their life matters less," the Ferrari driver wrote on Instagram.Israel strongly denies accusations of genocide and says its military campaign in Gaza targets Hamas militants.Hamilton described seeing food trucks lined up and ready to go at the border that were regularly held up or faced major delays.Hamilton poses for a photo with Egyptian Red Crescent members (AFP/Getty)He said that at a nearby logistics centre, items had been 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 said. "I don't want us to get used to their suffering. I don't want us to look away."Hamilton, 41, is an advocate for humanitarian causes. In 2021 he founded Mission 44, a charity that supports young people and works to improve their access to education and employment.The Brit is currently fourth in the F1 drivers’ standings, but is just a point behind third-placed George Russell, while he is only 18 adrift of Max Verstappen in second.Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli has already won the world title, becoming F1’s youngest champion in the process, with three races of the season remaining.The next F1 race is due to be held in Las Vegas on 21 November, before the season concludes in the Middle East with back-to-back races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.