Washington: An active member of US Air Force took his life by setting himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington in protest of the war in Gaza, AFP reported.
The man, identified as Aaron Bushnell from Texas, filmed himself shouting ‘Free Palestine’ during the shocking self-immolation act, according to footage shared on social media.
He was rushed to a hospital with “critical life-threatening injuries,” the Fire department said.
However, he succumbed to severe burn injuries.
In a video shared on social media, the man is seen wearing military fatigues and declaring he will “not be complicit in genocide” before dousing himself in liquid. He then lights himself on fire while yelling “Free Palestine!” until he falls to the ground.
Protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, in retaliation to an attack on October 7 by Hamas militants, are increasing across the United States.
The death count in Gaza is close to 30,000, as per the Hamas-run health ministry.
International pressure has been increasing on the United States to rein in their ally Israel and call for a ceasefire.