An active-duty member of the United States Air Force, identified as Aaron Bushnell, attempted self-immolation outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Sunday afternoon.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, they responded to reports of an individual setting themselves on fire near the embassy at approximately 1:00 p.m. The individual, later confirmed by the Air Force to be an active-duty airman, reportedly shouted "Free Palestine" as the incident unfolded.
"The Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 3500 block of International Drive, NW, at approximately 1:00 p.m., to assist the United States Secret Service after an individual set fire to himself in front of an embassy in the block," the Washington Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement.
Video footage analysed by CNN shows Bushnell declaring, "I will no longer be complicit in genocide," before igniting himself and collapsing.
Law enforcement personnel responded swiftly, using fire extinguishers to extinguish the flames.
Bushnell sustained significant injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital by DC Fire and EMS.
He remains in critical condition.
"No embassy staff were injured and are safe," stated an Israeli diplomatic spokesperson.
Additionally, a public relations officer with DC Fire confirmed that the fire had already been extinguished by the Secret Service before firefighters arrived.
The Metropolitan Police Department is collaborating with the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to investigate the incident.
This incident follows a similar act of self-immolation outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta in December 2023, which authorities characterised as "likely an extreme act of political protest."
Following the terror attacks in Israel on October 7, which killed 1,200 people, Israeli authorities declared war on Hamas in Gaza, which killed 1,200 lives.
"I can confirm that an active-duty airman was involved in today's incident," Rose Riley, a US Air Force spokesman, confirmed.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, the response has claimed the lives of around 30,000 lives in Gaza.
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