U.S. AIR FORCE SERVICEMAN SETS HIMSELF ON FIRE OUTSIDE ISRAELI EMBASSY

WARNING: Graphic images

This video might distress some viewers because it shows a US Air Force serviceman about to set himself on fire on 25 February in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, in protest of Tel Aviv's military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Independent journalist Talia Jane said 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell's loved ones provided her with the video, which she posted on the platform formerly known as Twitter. It shows Bushnell walking to the embassy as he condemned the US government's 'complicity' in Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. The latter part of the original video showed a blurred image of Bushnell as his body went up in flames while he shouted, 'Free Palestine.' Jane reported on X that Bushnell succumbed to his injuries on the same day. She also posted quotes from his friends. One person referred to as Xylem, who worked with Bushnell to support homeless people in San Antonio, Texas, described him as 'one of the most principled comrades I've ever known.'

The US government has provided the most military, financial and political support to Israel than to any other country since World War II. Between the start of the 7 October escalation and late December, the US had sent Israel more than 230 aeroplanes and 20 ships containing weapons. Further, every year since 2019, the United States has sent $3.8 billion in aid to Israel. Since October, US legislative houses have considered additional aid packages totalling about $32 billion. Meanwhile, Washington has vetoed three UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire.

The assault on the besieged enclave has killed nearly 30,000 Palestinians since it began on 7 October. About 70 per cent of casualties are women and children, while estimates on the amount of destroyed buildings range between 30 per cent to 70 per cent.