Washington DC – The US Air Force soldier who set himself on fire Sunday in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington in protest against Israel’s genocide against Palestinians has died in the hospital where he was admitted, US authorities have confirmed.

The spokesperson for the District of Columbia Police, Paris Lebwel, stated that the man, identified as Aaron Bushnell, 25, and a resident of San Antonio, died hours after being admitted in critical condition due to the burns suffered.

In a video posted on social media, the soldier in military uniform can be seen dousing himself with flammable liquid and engulfed in flames while shouting “Free Palestine” in front of the diplomatic mission, in a central neighborhood of the US capital.

“I am an active member of the Air Force and I will not continue to be complicit in genocide,” the man indicates in the video, also stating that he wants to resort to a “type of extreme protest” against the conflict in Gaza, which began last October 7.

Law enforcement responded immediately to the incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, as confirmed by the Washington Metropolitan Police.

Critical injuries

The fire department and emergency services stated that the man was urgently admitted to a hospital with critical injuries, while an explosives unit was deployed to examine a suspicious car, which ultimately posed no threat.

He finally passed away.