Lewis Hamilton visits Gaza border, urges Israel to 'let the aid trucks in'

Lewis Hamilton has urged Israel to let aid trucks into Gaza after visiting the Rafah border this week, adding in a passionate post "the past three years of Israel's genocide is appalling."

The seven-time world champion had called for a "Free Palestine" during a news conference ahead of October's United States Grand Prix, and has previously called for a ceasefire in the region.

This week, Hamilton visited the Rafah crossing, the only land crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and the hub of various humanitarian aid organisations.

After meeting aid workers and truck drivers on the ground, Hamilton posted a message about the trip to his 44 million Instagram followers.

"The past three years of Israel's genocide in Gaza is appalling," Hamilton wrote on Instagram. "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."

Israel denies accusations of genocide, saying its military campaign in Gaza targets militants of terrorist group Hamas. Hamilton has urged people not to ignore what is happening in the region.

"I know so many people that feel that same helplessness," he added. "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."

- Qatar, Abu Dhabi races set to go ahead as F1 rules out Imola backup plan for finale

Hamilton also met with North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer.

The governor's office shared videos to its official Facebook page of Hamilton being briefed by Megawer on the aid coordination and the Ferrari driver greeting aid workers and inquiring how often they were able to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing.

Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) said repeated delays in bringing life-saving medicines, prosthetics and other supplies into Gaza can have "devastating consequences" for Palestinians who urgently need them.

Hamilton described seeing food trucks lined up and ready to go in, only to be delayed or not allowed in.

His post continued: "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 the 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."