U.S. Air Force Member in Critical Condition After Setting Himself on Fire at Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.

An incident at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. has left an active-duty U.S. Air Force member in critical condition. The individual set himself on fire outside the embassy, prompting a swift response from U.S. Secret Service and Metropolitan Police Department officials.

The distressing event unfolded around 1 p.m. ET, leading to immediate responses from both the U.S. Secret Service and the Metropolitan Police Department. The officials swiftly intervened to address the situation.

In a statement to CBS News, the Israeli embassy confirmed that none of its staff members sustained injuries during the incident. Furthermore, the embassy clarified that the individual who set himself on fire was not known to them, adding a layer of mystery to the situation. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Department initiated an investigation into the crime scene following the troubling act. Additionally, law enforcement officials examined a "suspicious vehicle" that was potentially linked to the individual involved in the incident. However, the vehicle was ultimately cleared around 4 p.m., as it did not pose a threat.

Incident and Tragical Consequences

The development took an unusual turn when it was discovered that the individual had live-streamed a video on Twitch prior to the incident. In the video, the man, who claimed to be an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force, expressed his intentions, stating that he would "no longer be complicit in genocide" and intended to carry out an "extreme act of protest." Following the self-immolation, the individual repeatedly shouted "free Palestine." Although the Twitch channel has been removed, an independent reporter, Talia Jane, archived the video and shared it with CBS News.

Subsequent to the distressing event, the U.S. Air Force verified that an active duty airman was indeed involved in the incident, though the individual's identity was not disclosed. As of now, neither the U.S. Secret Service nor the Metropolitan Police Department has released any information regarding the individual's identity or a potential motive for the startling actions. CBS News has not independently verified the individual's identity, with many details surrounding the incident still shrouded in uncertainty.

The troubling incident at the Israeli embassy has sparked deep concern and raised many questions regarding the circumstances and motivations behind the individual's actions. Meanwhile, authorities continue their investigations into the matter, aiming to shed light on this distressing event.