Man set himself on fire outside Israeli embassy in Washington: what we know

A person suffered “life-threatening accidents” after he set himself on hearth outdoors the Israeli embassy in Washington on Sunday afternoon, authorities stated.

Simply earlier than 1 p.m. on Sunday, native authorities responded to a name for “an individual on hearth outdoors the Israeli Embassy” in Washington D.C., D.C. in response to an announcement by Fireplace and EMS on Sunday. When hearth crews arrived on the scene, the flames had already been extinguished by members of the U.S. Secret Service

The person, who was not recognized on the time of publication, was transported to an space hospital, D.C. Fireplace and EMS stated the assertion. The person was listed in important situation, in response to native media citing the Metropolitan Police Division (MPD).

Nobody else was injured within the incident, which occurred within the 3500 block of Worldwide Drive Northwest in Washington. The Secret Service and the MPD are investigating.

Newsweek reached out through e-mail on Sunday to the MPD for remark.

The person reportedly stated he was setting himself ablaze outdoors of the embassy within the U.S. capital to protest Israel’s warfare towards Hamas in Gaza, in response to The Washington Submit.

A graphic video shared on-line reveals him shouting “Free Palestine” as he is engulfed in flames. Within the video, the person stated he was an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Power and stated, “I will likely be now not complicit in genocide.”

A U.S. Air Power spokesperson confirmed to The New York Occasions on Sunday evening that the person concerned within the incident was an active-duty airman.

Newsweek reached out through e-mail on Sunday to the Air Power for remark and an replace.

The person is believed to have filmed the incident and livestreamed the protest on the social media platform Twitch, The New York Occasions reported. The video was faraway from the platform.

The battle within the Center East has seen the Israeli navy launch its largest-ever airstrike marketing campaign and floor offensive in Gaza, which was house to about 2.3 million Palestinians at first of the warfare. The bloodshed erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas led a shock assault in southern Israel that killed roughly 1,200 folks. The militant group additionally seized greater than 250 hostages within the border raid, in response to Reuters. In complete, Israel’s offensive has killed practically 30,000 Palestinians within the territory, in response to the outlet, citing Gaza’s Well being Ministry.

Earlier this month, the ministry introduced that greater than 12,300 Palestinian youngsters have been killed since Israel’s warfare on Hamas in Gaza started in October, the Related Press reported.

The Palestinian civilian dying toll and distressing pictures of youngsters lifeless within the rubble of bombed buildings resulted in mounting worldwide requires a ceasefire and elevated strain on U.S. President Joe Biden to take a more durable line on Israel.

Regardless of the growing condemnation over civilian deaths and calls for for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that the military will proceed its offensive to destroy Hamas, to convey house the remaining hostages and to cease Gaza from posing a risk.

For anybody in want of assist, go to 988lifeline.org or name or textual content the Suicide and Disaster Lifeline at 988.

Replace 02/25/24, 10:45 p.m. ET: This text was up to date with extra data.