US soldier sets himself on fire in front of Israeli embassy in US

ABC News reports a US Air Force service member is in critical condition after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC.

An unnamed man approached the gates of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, around 1 p.m. and set himself on fire. The incident was live-streamed on the Twitch video streaming platform. The video has since been removed from the platform, but law enforcement officials have obtained a copy and are reviewing it. Officers from the DC Police Department responded to the scene to assist Secret Service officers, and a bomb squad was sent to inspect a suspicious vehicle. Police later said no hazardous materials were found in the vehicle.

US soldier sets himself on fire in front of Israeli Embassy in Washington DC Photo: **DAILY** MAIL

The incident comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks cabinet approval to launch a military operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, while a temporary ceasefire is being negotiated. Israel's military offensive in Gaza has drawn widespread criticism, including accusations of genocide against Palestinians.

For its part, Israel denies the genocide accusations and insists it is acting in accordance with international law in the Israel-Hamas war.

KHANH MINH

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