Gaza War: Why U.S Air Force Sets Self Ablaze outside Israeli Embassy Amidst Protests

A man has set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC, US emergency services say.

The distressing incident unfolded at approximately 1:00 PM local time on Sunday, sparking widespread concern.

According to reports, officers from the US Secret Service swiftly intervened to extinguish the flames enveloping the airman before he was urgently transported to a hospital. His condition remains critical.

This dramatic episode has prompted an intensive investigation by the Washington police department, the Secret Service, and other pertinent agencies, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Located on the 3500 block of International Drive, NW, the scene of the self-immolation quickly became a focal point for emergency and security services.

A statement from the police highlighted the coordinated response to assist the Secret Service following the distressing act of self-harm by an individual in front of the embassy.

Eyewitnesses and social media users reported that the man vocalized calls for Palestinian freedom as he was engulfed in flames, a powerful and disturbing image that has since circulated widely online.

Furthermore, the presence of a suspicious vehicle near the site raised alarms, prompting the deployment of a bomb disposal unit. Thankfully, after a thorough inspection, the vehicle was deemed safe, alleviating fears of further danger.

This incident did not result in any injuries among embassy staff, as confirmed by embassy spokespeople and underscored by the Israeli foreign ministry’s acknowledgment of the man as an unknown entity to embassy personnel.

Remarkably, this is not an isolated incident of self-immolation in protest against Israeli diplomatic missions in the US.

A similar protest occurred in front of the Israeli consulate in Georgia last December, where a demonstrator employed petrol in their act of self-immolation, and a Palestinian flag was discovered at the scene.