The US Air Force serviceman who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy has died

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By stefan armitage

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The man who set himself on fire outside of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., has died.

The news was confirmed by a US Official, per NBC News.

Officials from the US Air Force are yet to name the individual - and won't do so until 24 hours after his next of kin have been notified.

As previously reported, the man - who was confirmed to be an active-duty serviceman from the US Air Force - was rushed to hospital after sustaining critical injuries in what is believed to be a protest against the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The disturbing incident occurred on Sunday (February 25), with videos circulating on social media showing the man - identifying himself as Aaron Bushnell - dressed in military gear and saying: "I will no longer be complicit in genocide."

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Credit: Anadolu/Getty

After placing his recording device on the ground, the man then covered himself in an unknown liquid and stated that the pain he was about to endure is nothing compared to the suffering of Palestinians amid Gaza's deadly conflict with Israel.

"I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest," he said, he before lighting himself on fire.

H then repeatedly screams "Free Palestine", before collapsing on the ground.

Nearby police officers then scrambled to put out the flames with fire extinguishers, per CNN.

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The horrific incident took place outside of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.  Credit: Anadolu / Getty

In a statement to CNN, the Washington Metropolitan Police Department said: The Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 3500 block of International Drive, NW, at approximately 1:00PM, to assist the United States Secret Service after an individual set themselves on fire in front of an embassy in the block."

Additionally, US Air Force spokesperson Rose Riley confirmed that the individual in the video was indeed a serving member of the military, saying: "I can confirm an active duty Airman was involved in today’s incident."

DC Fire and EMS officials quickly transported the man to a nearby hospital.

He has since been pronounced dead.

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The US Air Force confirmed the incident involved an active serviceman. Credit: Anadolu / Getty

The Israeli Embassy confirmed that none of its staff were injured in the incident, according to Tal Naim, a spokeswoman for the embassy, The New York Times reports.

The Washington Metropolitan Police Department says it is now working with the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate the incident.

Footage of the incident has been widely shared on social media platforms and is believed to have been live-streamed on Twitch. The video has since been removed from the platform for violating its guidelines.

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Services rush to the scene following the distressing incident. Credit: Anadolu / Getty

This incident comes just two months after a person set themselves alight outside of the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta. Police described that incident as "an extreme act of political protest".

Featured image credit: Anadolu / Getty