Tensions escalated at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupted between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters on Wednesday night, resulting in a scene of chaos and violence, according to Reuters.
UCLA Vice-Chancellor Mary Osako condemned the incident, describing it as a "horrific act of violence." Law enforcement agencies were summoned to the scene to address the escalating situation.
Reports indicate that the confrontation turned violent, with protesters wielding batons, vandalizing tents, and tearing down the Palestinian flag. The area descended into a battlefield as masked attackers engaged in the melee.
Authorities intervened amid the heated confrontation, managing to restore order after several hours. However, anti-Israel protesters remained on campus, persisting with their demonstrations by setting up tents and erecting fences.
The clashes at UCLA are part of a broader wave of protests against Israeli aggression in Gaza, which initially ignited at Columbia University weeks ago before spreading to other American campuses. The demonstrators' primary demands include an immediate halt to the aggression in Gaza and the termination of Israel's involvement in research projects.
The intensity of the protests underscores the deep divisions and passionate sentiments surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with universities becoming focal points for expressions of solidarity and dissent. As tensions persist, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further escalations of violence.
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