Lewis Hamilton Speaks Out on Gaza as Israel's Doha Attack Threatens Qatar GP
Lewis Hamilton has issued a statement on the war in Gaza after the United Nations (UN) commission of inquiry ruled that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians.
A newly released UN report says there are reasonable grounds to conclude that four of the five genocidal acts, as defined under international law, have been carried out by Israel since it began its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza in 2023.
The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and saw 251 people taken hostage.
Israel's subsequent offensive has killed at least 64,964 Palestinians, according to figures released by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry - whose figures are viewed as reliable by the UN.
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Its commission of inquiry has determined that four genocidal acts have taken place against Palestinians in Gaza since the start of the conflict; killing members of a group, causing them serious bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to destroy the group, and preventing births.
Israel's foreign ministry has categorically rejected the report as "distorted and false", as reported by the BBC.
What has Lewis Hamilton said about Gaza?
Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton took to Instagram on Tuesday to call for more aid in Gaza following the release of the UN report.
"The situation in Gaza is getting worse by the day. In the past two years, more than 10 per cent of the population has been killed or wounded - including tens of thousands of children - and that number only continues to rise," Ferrari driver Hamilton posted in a statement on his Instagram story.
"The latest incursion on Gaza City has forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, with hospitals across the strip already overwhelmed with those suffering from famine, and casualties of the bombing that never seems to end.
"Today, a UN commission of enquiry described what is happening in Gaza as a genocide. As human beings, we cannot stand by and let this continue to happen."
Hamilton later directed his followers to three charities providing humanitarian relief in Gaza - Palestine Red Crescent, Doctors Without Borders and Save The Children - adding: "It's hard not to feel powerless in the face of so much tragedy, but we can't stand by and do nothing.
"There are some incredible organisations doing great work to help the people of Palestine, and they need funds to be able to do so."
Qatar GP in doubt after Israel attack?
Earlier this month, Israel launched an air strike on members of Hamas' leadership who were based in Qatar. The attack reportedly killed five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer, but the majority of its intended targets survived.
The move was widely criticised by international leaders as hugely damaging for peace negotiations, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer branding it "completely unacceptable".
It also raised questions over the safety of the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, which is set to take place in the final weekend of November.
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed earlier this month that the race is scheduled to go ahead as planned despite Israel's attack close to the Lusail International Circuit.
Domenicali told The Observer: "That is very tragic, very difficult. We are monitoring the situation very closely. But we are not in a situation today where we can say that it is a concern [for the race to go ahead].
"We hope that sport will bring positivity."
Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1, Ferrari
Rory O'Callaghan