Hamilton Urges Israel to Let Gaza Aid in after Rafah Visit

Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 7, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of practice and qualifying REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 7, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of practice and qualifying REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
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Hamilton Urges Israel to Let Gaza Aid in after Rafah Visit

Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 7, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of practice and qualifying REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 7, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of practice and qualifying REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Formula One driver Lewis ‌Hamilton said on Wednesday that Israel must allow aid trucks into Gaza, a day after he visited the Rafah border crossing in Egypt.

Hamilton, a seven-times world champion, arrived in El Arish on Tuesday, where he was briefed on how aid is prepared and coordinated before it is sent into Gaza, as he toured the Rafah crossing and the Egyptian Red Crescent's ‌aid warehouses, reported Reuters.

"The past ‌three years of Israel's genocide ‌in ⁠Gaza is appalling. ⁠It's an injustice for people to be denied their freedom, their safety and their dignity. No human being should be treated as though their life matters less," the Ferrari driver wrote on Instagram.

Israel strongly denies accusations of genocide ⁠and says its military campaign in ‌Gaza targets Hamas militants.

Hamilton ‌described seeing food trucks lined up and ready to ‌go at the border that were regularly ‌held up or faced major delays.

He said that at a nearby logistics center, items had been rejected for "crazy reasons", including sleeping bags, first-aid kits, medical equipment, ‌wheelchairs, and footballs for children.

"Israel needs to fulfil its obligations under the ⁠ceasefire ⁠and let the aid trucks in. No excuse," he said. "I don't want us to get used to their suffering. I don't want us to look away."

Hamilton, 41, is an advocate for humanitarian causes. In 2021 he founded Mission 44, a charity that supports young people and works to improve their access to education and employment.

He is fourth in the drivers' championship. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli has won the title with three races remaining.



FIFA Releases Evaluation Reports for the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cup

FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: FILE PHOTO - FIFA's logo is seen at FIFA headquarters ahead of the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Zurich. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa
FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: FILE PHOTO - FIFA's logo is seen at FIFA headquarters ahead of the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Zurich. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa
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FIFA Releases Evaluation Reports for the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cup

FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: FILE PHOTO - FIFA's logo is seen at FIFA headquarters ahead of the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Zurich. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa
FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: FILE PHOTO - FIFA's logo is seen at FIFA headquarters ahead of the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Zurich. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa

The joint bids for both the 2031 and the 2035 Women's World Cup tournaments have met the hosting requirements and will be put up for a vote by FIFA's members later this month, The Associated Press reported.

The United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica made the lone bid for the 2031 tournament, when the field will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams. The joint bid for the 2035 edition includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

FIFA's evaluation reports released Wednesday determined both bids met minimum requirements ahead of the voted on during the Extraordinary FIFA Congress on Nov. 23.

The report acknowledged that the 2031 bid has a strong foundation after the United States jointly hosted the men's World Cup with Mexico and Canada, as well as the Club World Cup in 2025. The women's tournament in 2031 is expected to draw 4.5 million fans.

The 2031 bid included 20 proposed host stadiums across the four countries, with 14 in the United States, four in Mexico and one each in Jamaica and Costa Rica. One stadium included in the proposal, the new RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., has yet to be built, but otherwise the bid included existing venues.

The four stadiums considered for the final match were Mercedes Benz stadium in Atlanta, AT&T Stadium outside of Dallas, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Seven of the proposed stadiums in the United State have artificial surfaces, along with one in Mexico, which would need to be outfitted with natural grass for the matches. At the men's World Cup this past summer, several stadiums, including Lumen Field in Seattle, installed temporary grass fields.

FIFA noted that US government agencies sent supporting letters committing to requirements for like immigration, visas, work permits and security.

“Accordingly, while certain commitments require further engagement, there is a sound basis for confidence that continued dialogue and collaboration with the relevant government agencies should support the successful organization and delivery of the tournament, should the bid be successful,” FIFA said.

For the 2035 bid, the host nations chose the theme “All Together.”

“The bid draws on the shared commitment of the four member associations and their experience (both current and upcoming) in hosting major international sporting events, including the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and the UEFA Euro 2028."

There were 15 host cities and 19 stadiums proposed for the tournament across the four nations, including 14 in England, two in Ireland, one in Scotland and two in Wales. The final would go to Wembley Stadium in London.

FIFA also announced on Wednesday the draw process for next year's Women's World Cup in Brazil, which will be held on Dec. 11 in Rio de Janeiro.

There will be four pots of eight teams, with the top four teams in the rankings separated until the late stages if they finish atop their groups. The top four will be based off the rankings released on Dec. 7, but currently defending champion Spain is ranked No. 1, followed by the United States, Germany and England.


Hamilton Urges Israel to Let Gaza Aid in after Rafah Visit

Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 7, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of practice and qualifying REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 7, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of practice and qualifying REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
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Hamilton Urges Israel to Let Gaza Aid in after Rafah Visit

Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 7, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of practice and qualifying REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 7, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton arrives ahead of practice and qualifying REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Formula One driver Lewis ‌Hamilton said on Wednesday that Israel must allow aid trucks into Gaza, a day after he visited the Rafah border crossing in Egypt.

Hamilton, a seven-times world champion, arrived in El Arish on Tuesday, where he was briefed on how aid is prepared and coordinated before it is sent into Gaza, as he toured the Rafah crossing and the Egyptian Red Crescent's ‌aid warehouses, reported Reuters.

"The past ‌three years of Israel's genocide ‌in ⁠Gaza is appalling. ⁠It's an injustice for people to be denied their freedom, their safety and their dignity. No human being should be treated as though their life matters less," the Ferrari driver wrote on Instagram.

Israel strongly denies accusations of genocide ⁠and says its military campaign in ‌Gaza targets Hamas militants.

Hamilton ‌described seeing food trucks lined up and ready to ‌go at the border that were regularly ‌held up or faced major delays.

He said that at a nearby logistics center, items had been rejected for "crazy reasons", including sleeping bags, first-aid kits, medical equipment, ‌wheelchairs, and footballs for children.

"Israel needs to fulfil its obligations under the ⁠ceasefire ⁠and let the aid trucks in. No excuse," he said. "I don't want us to get used to their suffering. I don't want us to look away."

Hamilton, 41, is an advocate for humanitarian causes. In 2021 he founded Mission 44, a charity that supports young people and works to improve their access to education and employment.

He is fourth in the drivers' championship. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli has won the title with three races remaining.


Sabalenka Still Hopeful of Reaching WTA Finals Last Four Despite Defeat by Andreeva

Tennis - WTA Finals Indian Wells - Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California, US - November 11, 2026 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action during her group stage match against Russia's Mirra Andreeva REUTERS/Daniel Cole
Tennis - WTA Finals Indian Wells - Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California, US - November 11, 2026 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action during her group stage match against Russia's Mirra Andreeva REUTERS/Daniel Cole
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Sabalenka Still Hopeful of Reaching WTA Finals Last Four Despite Defeat by Andreeva

Tennis - WTA Finals Indian Wells - Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California, US - November 11, 2026 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action during her group stage match against Russia's Mirra Andreeva REUTERS/Daniel Cole
Tennis - WTA Finals Indian Wells - Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California, US - November 11, 2026 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action during her group stage match against Russia's Mirra Andreeva REUTERS/Daniel Cole

Aryna Sabalenka said she is still hopeful of reaching the WTA Finals semi-finals despite losing 11 games in a row in a 6-4 6-0 defeat by 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva on Wednesday.

The world number two squandered a 4-1 lead in the opening set before French Open champion Andreeva ran ‌the table ‌to clinch the match ‌and ⁠seal top spot ⁠in Group 2, Reuters said.

"She definitely played great tennis," Sabalenka told reporters. "The good thing is that I still have a chance to qualify. The bad thing, that I'll need some time ⁠to recover after I don't ‌even know how ‌many games in a row I lost."

Sabalenka, ‌28, made the brighter start and ‌broke Andreeva in the fourth game, but the teenager quickly shifted the momentum and exploited the Belarusian's errors.

"She's not easy ‌to play, in any surface. It's not only Indian Wells," ⁠added ⁠Sabalenka. "She's moving well, spinning the ball quite high, especially in this condition."

Sabalenka said she was determined to respond in her final group match against Elina Svitolina, who kept her own semi-final hopes alive with a 3-6 6-2 6-2 win over Karolina Muchova.

"Although the things didn't go well today, I'm still super motivated," added Sabalenka.