A man was hospitalized after setting himself on fire outside of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, according to officials.
In posts to X, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it “responded to the 3500 block of International Drive, NW, at roughly 1 p.m. ET, to assist the U.S. Secret Service after an individual set themselves on fire in front of an embassy in the block.”
#Incident: MPD responded to the 3500 block of International Drive, NW, at approximately 1:00 p.m., to assist the United States Secret Service after an individual set themselves on fire in front of an embassy in the block. (1/3)
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) February 25, 2024
An adult male was transported by DC Fire and EMS to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition. MPD is working with the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate the incident, MPD said.
MPD’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) has also been requested to the scene in reference to a suspicious vehicle that may be connected to the individual, the department said, adding that there “remains an active investigation at this time.”
The Israeli Embassy also provided a statement to The Washington Examiner.
“On Sunday, 2/25, at around 1 PM, a man set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC,” the embassy said. “The man was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The man is unknown. No Embassy staff were injured and are safe.”
Officials did not immediately comment on a potential motive, but the incident comes as Israel fights against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the group’s terrorist attacks on Israeli soil in October that killed an estimated 1,200 people.
There has been some tension between the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about plans for an offensive in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, where it is estimated that more than half the strip’s 2.3 million population have gathered during the conflict.
Netanyahu told CBS on Sunday a potential deal to secure the release of hostages could delay the Rafah operation, but he insisted that “total victory” over Hamas is Israel’s ultimate objective.
“I’ve set three war goals. The first is to release the hostages. The second is to destroy Hamas. And the third is to ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future. And obviously, the three are intertwined,” he said on “Face the Nation.”