In an act of protest against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, a 25-year-old active member of the United States military, Aaron Bushnell, set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC. The incident occurred on Sunday, prompting a rapid response from emergency personnel. Bushnell, a member of the US Air Force, live-streamed the incident on Twitch, declaring his refusal to be complicit in what he referred to as genocide. The footage, which included him igniting himself while shouting “Free Palestine!”, has since been removed from the platform, and local authorities are currently investigating the incident.

The US capital’s fire department reported that Bushnell sustained critical, life-threatening injuries and was swiftly transported to the hospital for medical attention where he died the following day. Additionally, there were concerns about a suspicious vehicle connected to the individual, prompting a request for explosive ordinance disposal at the scene. However, authorities later confirmed that no hazardous materials were found. The Israeli embassy assured that all its staff members were safe following the incident.

The Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, has been the focal point of ongoing protests against Israel’s war on Gaza. The demonstrations began in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, resulting in casualties and hostage situations. The conflict has escalated, with Israeli forces conducting a military campaign in Gaza, resulting in significant devastation and a high death toll, according to Palestinian health officials.