A tragic incident unfolded outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Sunday afternoon when a U.S. Air Force member set himself on fire in an apparent protest against the Israel-Hamas war. The man, who has not been identified pending next of kin notification, was filmed yelling “Free Palestine” before collapsing to the ground. He called the Israeli crackdown in Gaza “genocide” and stated that his actions were not as extreme as the suffering of the Palestinian people. The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department responded to the scene and extinguished the flames, with the Secret Service's uniformed division also on site. The airman was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition.

The incident comes amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The war began after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, leading to widespread violence and destruction. Nearly 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli embassy confirmed that no staff members were injured in the incident.

Local authorities, including the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service, are currently investigating the incident. The man's actions have sparked pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protests in the United States, highlighting the deep divisions surrounding the conflict. The airman's livestreamed protest has since been removed, but the message he sought to convey has left a lasting impact. As this is a developing story, updates are expected to follow.