Lewis Hamilton visits Egypt’s Rafah crossing to see Gaza aid efforts

Lewis Hamilton visited Egypt’s Rafah crossing on Tuesday, November 10, to learn about aid operations for Gaza, Reuters reported, citing the North Sinai governorate. The seven-time Formula One world champion also toured warehouses run by the Egyptian Red Crescent in El Arish.

The visit covered preparations for dispatching humanitarian supplies and the coordination involved in sending them to Gaza. Reuters attributed those details to the governorate’s Facebook page, while The National reported that North Sinai officials had described the briefing.

North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer accompanied or briefed Hamilton during the visit, according to Al Jazeera English and Middle East Eye. The National reported that Hamilton saw parcels of aid stacked on lorries waiting at the border.

Hamilton also met people working at the crossing. The Guardian reported that he exchanged handshakes and spoke briefly with workers and officials. Middle East Eye said footage shared by Megawer’s office showed him greeting aid workers.

The warehouse tour and border stop took place against a reported shortfall in supplies reaching Gaza. According to The Guardian and Middle East Eye, an agreement reached the previous year required a daily minimum of 600 aid trucks, but deliveries were below that threshold.

The National reported that the Israeli military controlled the Gaza side of the crossing and had limited supplies, at times blocking them. Middle East Eye separately cited aid workers who said Israeli authorities were permitting only a fraction of the agreed volume to enter.

Hamilton has previously spoken publicly about Gaza. The Guardian reported that he had urged a ceasefire and used social media to draw attention to children killed in Israeli airstrikes.

The Ferrari driver, 41, founded the youth-focused charity Mission 44 in 2021, Reuters and The National reported. His Egypt visit followed his 400th race start at Sunday’s São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, according to The Guardian.