During a demonstration near the White House on Sunday, a man reportedly set himself on fire while participating in a pro-Palestinian rally, as reported by The Washington Post. Authorities quickly responded, and the man’s injuries, though serious, are not considered life-threatening.
The fire was swiftly extinguished, and the individual was taken to a hospital for treatment. The protest, which had been peaceful up to that point, commemorated the anniversary of the October 7 events and saw participants gathering to express solidarity with Palestinians. According to law enforcement, the man received immediate medical assistance.
Approximately a thousand demonstrators participated, carrying banners with messages such as “Free Palestine” and calling for an arms embargo on Israel. Palestinian flags were seen as participants voiced their support for the cause.
The demonstration coincided with the anniversary of a major escalation in the Israel-Gaza conflict, when, on October 7, 2023, rocket attacks were launched from Gaza, leading to significant casualties. Israeli authorities confirmed that about 1,200 people lost their lives during the attack, prompting the launch of Operation Iron Swords and a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip. According to local reports from the Gaza health ministry, the death toll from subsequent strikes has exceeded 41,800.
