US airman dies after setting himself ablaze in apparent protest at Gaza war

US

A US Air Force member who set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC has died.

The victim, who was an airman on active duty, had set himself ablaze in an apparent act of protest against the war in Gaza.

He had said he would “no longer be complicit in genocide,” according to the AP news agency.

Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek said the man had “succumbed to his injuries and passed away last night.”

No further details were released.

The man walked up to the embassy on Sunday and began livestreaming on the video streaming platform Twitch, the report said, citing a person familiar with the matter.

He then doused himself in accelerant and ignited the flames, before collapsing to the ground.

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The video has been removed from the platform.

He also yelled “Free Palestine”, according to NBC, Sky News’ US partner.

The flames were extinguished by Secret Service agents and the man was taken to hospital.

Israel has denied allegations of genocide in Gaza, saying it is carrying out operations in accordance with international law.

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