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Protester Sets Himself on Fire Outside White House Amid Anti-Israel Protests
A man set himself on fire outside the White House on Saturday during a protest against the ongoing war in Gaza.
The incident occurred as thousands marched across cities like Washington and Los Angeles, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the devastating conflict that has now entered its twelfth month.
Global Protests Demand Ceasefire in Gaza
The protests were part of a coordinated global day of action against the war, which escalated after Israel recently intensified its military operations in Lebanon. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel. Since then, 1,205 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israel, while more than 41,825 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza, as reported by the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza and verified by the United Nations.
Man Attempts Self-Immolation in Washington Protest
In Washington, over a thousand protesters gathered outside the White House, waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags and chanting slogans against U.S. military support for Israel. Nearly two hours into the protest, a man approached the demonstrators and set himself on fire.
Eyewitnesses stated that he managed to ignite his left arm before bystanders and police intervened, using water and traditional Palestinian scarves (keffiyehs) to extinguish the flames. “I’m a journalist, and we spread misinformation,” he reportedly shouted as the fire was put out. The man is currently being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police confirmed.
Rising Global Tensions
The incident highlights the intense emotions and global backlash surrounding the conflict, with many condemning both Israel’s military actions and the role of international powers in the ongoing war. Protests and calls for peace have been escalating, urging world leaders to intervene and bring an end to the violence.
