What We Know About Lewis Hamilton's Gaza Border Visit

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton visited Egypt's northern city of El Arish on Tuesday to see firsthand how humanitarian aid bound for Gaza is staged and moved through the Rafah crossing, according to Al Jazeera.

What did Hamilton see at the border?

North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer welcomed the British driver and showed him the Egyptian Red Crescent's aid warehouses in El Arish, Al Jazeera reported. Hamilton is seen in footage greeting aid workers and asking how often supplies are able to cross into Gaza through Rafah. The governor's office posted video of the visit on its official Facebook page, with Megawer briefing Hamilton on how relief shipments are coordinated.

Who is Khaled Megawer and why did he lead the briefing?

Megawer serves as governor of North Sinai, the Egyptian province that includes El Arish and borders the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. His office has taken a visible role publicizing Egypt-coordinated aid operations, releasing the footage of Hamilton's tour through its own Facebook channel rather than through a third-party outlet, according to Al Jazeera.

What is happening in Gaza that makes the timing significant?

The visit came days after heavy rain and flooding overwhelmed parts of Gaza. Al Jazeera reported the floods killed at least five people, including four children, and displaced thousands. Sand embankments collapsed onto a displacement camp south of Deir el-Balah. Gaza's Civil Defence logged more than 2,100 distress calls by Monday and warned that more than 2,000 buildings are at risk of collapsing, the outlet reported.

Israeli strikes continued across the enclave during the same period. Al Jazeera cited local health sources reporting at least eight people killed in air attacks on Tuesday, including a father and his 13-year-old son.

What has the World Health Organization said about aid delays?

Last month, the World Health Organization said repeated delays in bringing medicines, prosthetics and other supplies into Gaza can have "devastating consequences" for Palestinians who need them urgently, according to Al Jazeera's reporting. The outlet also noted that recent cuts to aid and food assistance have compounded conditions on the ground.

What is Hamilton's history with humanitarian work?

Hamilton, 41, races for Ferrari and has built a public record of charitable involvement outside Formula One. He founded Mission 44 in 2021, a charity focused on helping young people access careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, Al Jazeera reported. In 2022, the Sunday Times Giving List ranked him fifth among British philanthropists, citing a reported donation of 20 million British pounds, or about $26 million at the time, according to the outlet.

Timeline of the week's events

• Before Monday: Heavy rain begins flooding parts of Gaza, displacing thousands and killing at least five people, including four children, per Al Jazeera.
• Monday: Gaza's Civil Defence logs more than 2,100 distress calls; officials warn more than 2,000 buildings are at risk of collapse.
• Tuesday: Israeli strikes kill at least eight people across Gaza, including a father and his 13-year-old son, according to local health sources cited by Al Jazeera.
• Tuesday: Hamilton tours the Rafah crossing area in El Arish, briefed by North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer on aid coordination.

The numbers behind the crisis

• 2,100+: Distress calls logged by Gaza's Civil Defence by Monday, according to Al Jazeera.
• 2,000+: Buildings officials warned were at risk of collapse following the flooding, per the same report.
• 5: People killed in the flooding this week, including four children, Al Jazeera reported.
• 8: People killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Tuesday, according to local health sources.
• £20 million (about $26 million): Donation attributed to Hamilton that placed him fifth on the 2022 Sunday Times Giving List.

Al Jazeera did not report whether Hamilton made public remarks during the visit or whether he plans further engagement with aid groups operating through Rafah.