Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was worsening by the day and stressed that children made up a large share of those killed or injured in the past two years. He appealed for donations, admitting that the scale of suffering could leave people feeling powerless.
Hamilton, who holds a record 105 Grand Prix victories, pointed out that over 10% of Gaza’s population had either been killed or wounded since the escalation began, with the figures continuing to climb. He noted that the most recent assault on Gaza City had displaced hundreds of thousands of people, while hospitals were already struggling to cope with both bombing casualties and famine-related cases.
Citing findings from the UN Commission of Inquiry, which has characterised the situation as genocide, Hamilton remarked that it was not acceptable for the world to simply remain a spectator to such events.
Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that while the scale of suffering in Gaza can make people feel powerless, inaction was not an option. He said there were several organisations carrying out vital work to support Palestinians and emphasised that these groups urgently needed funds to continue their efforts, Maktoob Media reported.
Hamilton mentioned that he had personally contributed to three organisations—the Palestine Red Crescent, Doctors Without Borders, and Save the Children UK—and encouraged others to donate if they were able.
Reports from medical sources in Gaza indicate that Israel’s military campaign, which began on October 7, 2023, has caused catastrophic devastation, with the death toll climbing to 64,964 and injuries reaching 165,312.
Hamilton, the first and only Black driver in Formula 1, has consistently spoken out for Palestinian rights and demanded a ceasefire in Gaza. Known for his activism, he frequently uses his platform of over 40 million Instagram followers to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis, highlighting child deaths, widespread hunger, and appeals for peace.
Lewis Hamilton has often linked his own experiences of racism—from growing up in Stevenage to facing discrimination in the world of Formula 1—with wider struggles against injustice and human rights abuses globally.
In May 2024, while condemning Israel’s assault on Rafah, he said he understood what it meant to feel targeted and powerless, urging that the violence against children in Gaza must end. He shared videos highlighting the suffering of children in Rafah and criticised the continuation of attacks despite an International Court of Justice ruling, insisting that the destruction had gone too far and must stop for the sake of families and lives.
Hamilton also warned that silence in the face of such devastation, including widespread starvation, would not be forgotten, saying that the inaction of the international community would be judged harshly by future generations. He called for immediate access to humanitarian aid, an end to hostilities, and stronger global pressure on Israel to halt its military campaign.