iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Cross-border shelling has killed at least 70 civilians, including children, rescue workers and journalists
KT APPDOWNLOAD
US soldier sets himself on fire outside Israeli embassy to protest against Gaza war
The man apparently livestreamed himself on Twitch
Photo: AP
An active member of the US Air Force set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington on Sunday, officials said, as media reported he was protesting the war in Gaza.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene just before 1 pm (1800 GMT) in response to a "call for person on fire outside the Israeli Embassy", according to a message on X by the capital's fire department.
They arrived to find that officers from the Secret Service — the US law enforcement agency tasked with protecting US political leaders, visiting heads of state and others — had already extinguished the fire.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The man was transported to the hospital with "critical life threatening injuries", the fire department said.
An Air Force spokesperson confirmed to AFP that he was an active member of the Air Force, but gave no further details.
A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy said no staff were injured in the incident, and that the man was "unknown" to them.
US media reported that the man apparently livestreamed himself on Twitch, wearing fatigues and declaring he will "not be complicit in genocide" before dousing himself in liquid.
He then lit himself on fire while yelling "Free Palestine!" until he fell on the ground.
AFP has been unable to immediately verify the footage, with the New York Times reporting that it was removed from Twitch.
The shocking act came as protests are increasing across the United States against Israel's actions in Gaza, where it is waging a war for an attack on October 7 by Hamas militants.
With the death toll in Gaza nearing 30,000, international pressure has been increasing on the United States to rein its ally Israel in and call for a ceasefire.
ALSO READ:
More news from World
Northeastern University in Boston says the action was taken after some protesters resorted to virulent anti-Semitic slurs
Alongside regional leaders, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend the meetings
The Argentinian's beauty got many looking for the 'fountain of youth': She can't be that old, Netizens say
A plea moved in court stated that no one is permitted to wear the official state institution outfit
The ruins in the middle of Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija province are a tourist draw, even as the region swelters in extreme heat
Friday's polling will be held for 88 of the total 543 seats in the lower house or Lok Sabha of Parliament with 160 million people eligible to vote
Kerala will decide the fate of 194 candidates as polling on all 20 parliamentary constituencies will be held in the second phase
