McGill University closed its downtown campus as large numbers of Montreal police arrived to help clear the pro-Palestinian sit-in.

The university said today, Wednesday, that the camp that had existed for more than 10 weeks had been dismantled.

McGill University President Deb Saini stated that the university is dismantling the camp "in close cooperation" with the city and police, and through "the involvement of a qualified security company."

Saini said in a written statement posted on the university's website today, Wednesday: "This camp was not a peaceful protest."

"It had been a heavily fortified focal point for intimidation and violence, largely organized by individuals who are not part of our university community."

The police, some of whom were in riot gear, cordoned off the streets leading to the camp site in the lower field of the university, preventing access, while a crowd of demonstrators gathered near the police line.

Ziad Abi Saad, a student at Concordia University, who looked from the street, said he was previously part of a Palestinian solidarity group led by students: "Students are steadfast in their struggle."

A group of demonstrators stood in front of the camp, facing construction equipment brought in to remove them. The police, security personnel, and construction workers did not move to dismantle the camp until around 8 AM.

McGill University stated that classes usually held on campus will be moved online as they advised students and faculty to stay away. Libraries and daycare centers on campus were also closed.

Demonstrators on campus demanded that the university end its investments linked to the Israeli military and sever ties with Israeli institutions due to the attack on Gaza.

Last week, the police dismantled a pro-Palestinian camp in the heart of Montreal's financial district.