He continued: “This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal.”
The service member, wearing camouflage, can then be seen pouring a flammable substance on himself before lighting himself on fire, repeatedly yelling, “Free Palestine” before on-site personnel ran toward him with fire extinguishers.
The service member’s actions come as members of the Biden administration have
expressed their
frustration with how the U.S. has handled its response to Israel’s military operation in Gaza. The White House has remained supportive of Israel throughout the war, while calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to protect civilians from harm.
“I cannot stay silent as this administration turns a blind eye to the atrocities,” a senior administration official
wrote in a resignation letter in January.
Nearly 30,000 people have died in Gaza since Israel began its operation in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The figures do not distinguish between militants and civilians.
Negotiators are working to finalize a deal that would see a temporary ceasefire and hostage exchange, even as Israel threatens a full-on invasion of the southern city of Rafah. The pause in fighting could include the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts around March 10, and would allow for an increase of desperately needed humanitarian aid to the strip.
More than 1 million people are sheltering in Rafah after being forced to flee the more northern parts of Gaza during Israel’s campaign. Netanyahu has said a temporary ceasefire would delay but not halt the country’s plans for an invasion in order to root out the remnants of Hamas.
Still, Netanyahu’s plans to attack Rafah have prompted widespread international calls for restraint amid the humanitarian crisis. Israeli officials are working on a plan to protect the innocent civilians there, but have not yet submitted a proposal to the White House, according to a U.S. official, who was granted anonymity to speak about sensitive discussions.