Hostage Survivor Slams Lewis Hamilton Over Gaza Aid Comments
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton visited the Rafah crossing and criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, calling them "genocide" and demanding aid trucks be allowed in. Liri Elbag, a former Hamas hostage, questioned Hamilton's visit, asking why he didn't enter Gaza and pointing out Hamas's alleged theft of supplies. Elbag's father suggested celebrities lack understanding of the conflict's root causes.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- F1 champion Lewis Hamilton criticized Israel's actions in Gaza after visiting the Rafah crossing.
- Former hostage Liri Elbag questioned Hamilton's motives and pointed to Hamas's alleged theft of aid.
- Hamilton's post about "genocide" in Gaza received millions of likes, including from celebrities.
- Liri Elbag's father suggested celebrities misunderstand the conflict's causes.
- Hamilton met with officials and received briefings on aid efforts during his visit.
Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton visited the Rafah crossing this week to "closely monitor the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip." Following his visit, Hamilton posted on social media, stating, "The last three years of genocide Israel is performing in Gaza are horrifying. Standing there outside what felt like an open prison, all I could think was, I had to go in and help. Israel must uphold its ceasefire commitments and allow aid trucks to enter."
Liri Elbag, who was held captive by Hamas for 477 days, responded to Hamilton's post, questioning his actions. "Why didn't you go into Gaza? You are allowed to... I see many trucks just waiting to enter without Hamas stealing the supplies. If there is hunger, why are there trucks waiting outside?" she asked.
Hamilton's post garnered nearly four million likes, including from Kim Kardashian and Hailey Bieber. During his visit, Hamilton met with the governor of North Sinai, toured logistical warehouses, and received briefings on efforts to evacuate the wounded and sick from Gaza to hospitals in Egypt.
Liri Elbag's father, Eli Elbag, commented on the situation, suggesting that celebrities often lack a full understanding of the conflict. "There are many celebrities who don't understand the event. I don't know what they are fed. Of course, when they see the scenes in Gaza, people living in tents, they see that the people are suffering, but they don't understand why the people are suffering. If they were explained that the people suffer because of Hamas and not because of us, then perhaps everything would look different," he said.
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