US soldier sets himself on fire to protest 'genocide'

Officials said that an active duty member of the US military set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, ostensibly as a form of protest against Israel's destructive war on Gaza.

Aaron Bushnell, 25, was taken to the hospital on Sunday with what the US capital's fire department described as "severe, life-threatening injuries."

Emergency crews reportedly raced to the site shortly before 1pm (18:00 GMT) in response to a report of a "person on fire outside the Israeli embassy," according to the agency. When they got there, they discovered that US Secret Service agents had already put out the fire.

The event involving an active duty airman was confirmed by the US Air Force.

According to US media accounts, Bushnell doused himself in liquid while livestreaming on Twitch, wearing fatigues and pledging to "not be complicit in genocide."

Then, as he was screaming, "Free Palestine!" he set himself on fire and collapsed to the ground.

Twitch has subsequently taken down the video. The incident is being looked into, according to the local police.

Additionally, according to the police, an explosive ordinance disposal was sent to the area in connection with a suspicious car that might be linked to the person. Subsequently, it stated that no dangerous materials were discovered.

Source