F1 icon Lewis Hamilton says 'my heart breaks' for victims in Israel, Palestine

By Can Erozden

Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, on Friday pleaded for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, saying his "heart breaks for the innocent lives lost."

"My heart breaks for the innocent lives lost in Israel and Palestine, and all the lives that have been forever changed," said Hamilton, who has 34.9 million followers on Instagram, said on the Meta-owned platform.

"The scale of the ongoing suffering and loss is truly devastating and there is no justification for the deliberate targeting of innocent people - especially children. We cannot accept it," the 38-year-added.

"Now more than ever we need to come together. With so much hurt and grief, we need to use our collective power to put pressure on our leaders to do absolutely everything they can to find a way to end this. We shouldn't rest until every child in the region is safe."

Hamilton, who last won the F1 title in 2020, put several links to his Instagram story including Red Cross to call people for donations.

The conflict in Gaza, which is under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, along with stepping up raids and arrests in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli siege has left the 2.3 million residents of Gaza with little food, water, fuel and medical supplies.

At least 4,137 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Palestinian enclave, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.