Palestinian Islamic Resistance movement Hamas expressed its "heartfelt condolences" and "full solidarity" with the family and friends of American citizen and US Air Force active-duty member Aaron Bushnell, who carried out an act of self-immolation in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington in protest of the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Making his way on foot toward the occupation embassy, Bushnell said while recording himself: "My name is Aaron Bushnell. I'm an active duty member of the United States Air Force. And I will no longer be complicit in genocide."

"I'm about to engage in an extreme act of protest, but compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it's not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal," he said before pouring gasoline on himself.

He was then seen in the video lighting himself on fire while shouting "Free Palestine" repeatedly, before an embassy guard came close and raised a gun at his body, which they then was on the ground, still burning. The American pilot was transferred to a hospital where he was later announced dead.

A defender of the oppressed Palestinian people

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Hamas held President Joe Biden's administration fully responsible for his death, citing Washington's "policy that has supported the Zionist regime in its genocidal war against our Palestinian people."

Hamas pointed out that the tragic incident acknowledges "the growing anger" among the American public who reject their country’s policy, "that contributes to the killing and genocide of our people" and "violates global humanitarian values, by providing cover to ensure the impunity of the Nazi entity and its leaders from punishment and accountability."

"Aaron Bushnell immortalized his name as a defender of humanitarian values and the oppressed Palestinian people," the statement read, likening it to the sacrifice made by "American activist Rachel Corrie, who was crushed [to death] by an Israeli bulldozer in Rafah in 2003."

"The heroic pilot Aaron Bushnell will remain immortal in the memory of our Palestinian people and the free people of the world, and a symbol of the spirit of global humanitarian solidarity with our people and their just cause."

US citizens hold a mourning vigil outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC, honouring Aaron Bushnell who burned himself rejecting Israeli crimes. Protestors keep on his steps and condemn the American support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/DW50SuAkgm

— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) February 27, 2024

A haunting reminder

In a report on Monday, Politico considered Bushnell's death as the culmination of the increasing wave of dissatisfaction with the White House's policy regarding Gaza.

The news website confirmed that "the self-immolation is an escalation of the anger from within the government, which until now manifested itself in resignations and hastily called group meetings," expressing the ruling establishment's fear that the incident would "lead those who work in the administration or are members of the services to become more outspoken."

Administrative personnel within Biden's administration penned a protest note to him, expressing concerns about his policies in the Gaza Strip. They urged the White House to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza.

In the letter, staffers wrote that "to end one’s life in the most violent and severe way is a stark warning for our nation," calling on the White House to push for a ceasefire in Gaza.

"May his sacrifice be a haunting reminder for those who refuse to change course."