Sir Lewis Hamilton has travelled to the Rafah crossing to see how Egypt is delivering humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza.
The 41-year-old British Formula One champion arrived at Arish International Airport in North Sinai on Tuesday. He met Egyptian officials before heading towards the Gaza border.
Local reports said Hamilton was also due to visit Egyptian Red Crescent facilities in Arish, where volunteers organise and dispatch relief supplies for Gaza.
Dressed in a black crew-neck jumper, trousers and sunglasses, Hamilton met North Sinai governor Major General Khaled Megawer.
The pair were photographed speaking on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing.
The visit comes only weeks after the Formula One star publicly called for a “free Palestine”.
Speaking amid concerns over the proposed African Grand Prix in Rwanda, Hamilton also urged the continent to unite as conflict continues in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
He said: “I don’t get to choose where we go and, naturally, there are problems all over the world today.
Sir Lewis Hamilton, 41, was pictured at the Rafah crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border on Tuesday
The Formula One driver toured Red Crescent facilities and spoke with North Sinai governor Major General Khaled Megawer
Hamilton also met Red Crescent volunteers who prepare and send humanitarian supplies to Gaza
“I’ve seen many of the stories, but I think we really have to approach this with humility.
“There is a lot that we don’t know. Growing up in England, they never taught us anything about Africa. It needs to be included in the curriculum. Many of the problems there are still consequences of colonialism and Western intervention.
CHECK THIS OUT: David Walliams Named in Gag Order Claims Over Alleged Teen Conduct
“But when you see the people, you see so many incredible designs coming out of Africa today. Top brands come from the continent, and it has some of the world’s richest resources.
“I really hope—and I still have hope—that Africa unites. I know there are many people who do not want that to happen because the continent would be so powerful if it did, but I remain hopeful that, at some point, it will.”
Hamilton added: “Of course, going there does not mean you neglect the things happening there.
“Hopefully, more people will educate themselves about what is happening and what has happened there over hundreds of years. I hope that will help spark a wider conversation.
“I think we need to make sure we are pushing to free Congo, free Sudan, free Syria and free Palestine. I hope that, at some stage, we can reach a much more peaceful world.”
Hamilton said more people should speak out about the conflict in Congo, as well as the Israel-Hamas war, Sudan’s ongoing civil war and the continuing conflict in Syria.
The Formula One champion previously called for a “free Palestine” and visited Jordan, where he toured a hospital and an aid-packing centre supporting people in Gaza
Hamilton was pictured speaking with Major General Megawer at the Rafah crossing in Egypt
Earlier this year, the Formula One champion visited Jordan, which borders Israel and the West Bank, where he toured a hospital and an aid-packing facility supporting people in Gaza.
He described the trip as “life-changing”, saying: “When you see what is happening on the ground, it can be easy to feel hopeless and believe there is nothing we can do to help.
“I thought that sense of hopelessness would be what I took away from the visit, but it wasn’t.”
He also called on humanitarian organisations, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent, to be granted access to Gaza so they can “reach the places where help is needed”.
