F1 champion Lewis Hamilton calls on Israel to open Gaza’s Rafah border

What the report says

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has urged Israel to reopen the Rafah crossing so humanitarian aid can move from Egypt into Gaza, where conditions have worsened after heavy rain and flooding affected displacement camps. According to Al Jazeera, Hamilton made the appeal in a social media post following a visit on Wednesday to Egypt’s northern city of el-Arish, near the Gaza border.

During the visit, Hamilton toured a storage site where the Egyptian Red Crescent had prepared aid boxes for Palestinians in the enclave. Al Jazeera reported that his post highlighted the urgency of getting supplies through the border closure and showed him with volunteers and workers as well as trucks carrying food waiting to cross.

Hamilton said people in Gaza and Palestine needed assistance immediately and called for pressure on Israel to ensure deliveries reach those in need. He also used strong language to describe the situation, calling it an injustice for people to be denied freedom, safety and dignity. Al Jazeera reported that his comments came as the humanitarian situation deteriorated further in Gaza.

The report added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied claims that Israel is delaying winter supplies, while the United Nations said more than 150,000 tents purchased by aid partners and member states are waiting outside Gaza for Israeli approval to enter. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said delays could not be justified by waiting for a new Israeli government to form.