Aaron Bushnell: US Air Force Personnel Sets Himself Ablaze For Free Palestine

US Air Force soldier Aaron Bushnell sets himself on fire outside Israeli Embassy in protest of alleged genocide in Gaza.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for five months now, with fighting continuing in various parts of Gaza. Efforts are being made by the United States, along with countries like the United Kingdom, Qatar, and Israel, to broker a ceasefire and restore stability to the region. In the midst of this tense situation, a shocking incident occurred outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. An airman from the US Air Force, identified as Aaron Bushnell, set himself on fire as a protest against the alleged genocide in Gaza and in support of a 'Free Palestine'.

Bushnell, a 25-year-old cyber defence operations specialist from San Antonio, Texas, tragically succumbed to his burn injuries, as confirmed by the Metropolitan Police Department. He had been serving with the 531st Intelligence Support Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio since joining the US Air Force in May 2020. Reports indicate that Bushnell approached the embassy on a Sunday afternoon and live-streamed the shocking act on Twitch before setting himself ablaze with accelerant. Although the video was later removed, law enforcement officials were able to obtain and review a copy.

Following the incident, federal agents searched the Travelodge in Silver Spring, Maryland, where Bushnell had been staying. Col. Celina Noyes, commander of the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, expressed condolences to Bushnell's family and friends. The tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, highlighting the need for diplomatic efforts to bring about peace and stability in the region.