It is expected that there will be a "very large police presence" in the Toronto areas where two planned protests regarding the recent fighting between Israel and Hamas are scheduled.

Toronto Police say they will be out to ensure public safety at the events.

The second hour after noon. A demonstration for the Palestinian youth movement is set to take place in Nathan Phillips Square downtown. Later in the day, at 7 PM, a march in support of Israel is scheduled to be organized at Milliken Park in North York.

Speaking to reporters late Monday morning, Toronto Police Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said that officers are expecting “large-scale demonstrations” and that members of the force’s hate crimes unit will be on the ground for monitoring purposes.

Pogue said: "While the Toronto Police Service will be present to ensure the legality of the demonstrations, we want to be very clear that we will not tolerate intimidation, harassment, or hate-driven behavior that targets specific communities." "Our city has witnessed hundreds of lawful and peaceful protests over the past year, and we hope for the same today."

"But again, we want to make it clear that anyone who crosses the line from lawful protesting into criminal behavior can expect to be arrested, either at the event or in the days to come."

Pogue added that as of Monday morning there are no specific concerns for public safety. Officials also stated that anyone experiencing any hate-related incidents should find a police officer and report it.

"You can also record what you see and share it. But we will have this physical presence on the ground. You can reach out to those officers.

In a statement posted on social media, the city's mayor, Olivia Chow, said on Monday that the 2 PM event is an unauthorized gathering to support Hamas and condemned it.

Chow stated in her statement: "The Government of Canada has listed Hamas as a terrorist organization, and we simply must not tolerate any support for terrorism." “Gathering to support Hamas in Nathan Phillips Square today is not permitted, and without a permit, I condemn it unequivocally. The glorification of the indiscriminate violence that occurred this weekend, including the killing and kidnapping of women and children, by Hamas against Israeli civilians is abhorrent.”

She said she receives regular updates from Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw, who promised to address and investigate any suspected hate incidents.

Toronto Police say they bear the responsibility of ensuring respect for the rights and freedoms outlined in everyone’s Charter, despite not having a permit for the protest.

Pogue said: "We are there acknowledging that people have the right to assemble and peacefully protest." "We will be there to ensure that when people show up, we are there to maintain that peace and will certainly pursue any acts of hate crimes if they occur."

Meanwhile, the Toronto Police Services Board held a closed special meeting at 10 AM before the protests. The board did not specify what the meeting was about, but it pertains only to a public safety matter. Tensions in the local Jewish community have escalated following the surprise attack by Hamas, which occurred during a Jewish holiday over the weekend. The attack saw armed militants invade Israel, resulting in the deaths of youth at a music festival and families in their homes, while also taking girls and the elderly to Gaza as hostages.

Israel responded with airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of around 700 Israelis and 500 Palestinians in the violence so far.

Locally, there has also been online outrage over celebrations held by some Palestinian groups over the weekend following the attacks.

One group called on its members to celebrate the attacks by waving Palestinian flags over the pedestrian bridge at Roncesvalles on the Gardiner Expressway on Saturday, while a café in Mississauga held a party at night, where people danced on cars and ate cake.

Prime Minister Doug Ford described the celebrations as “obscene and disgusting” on Sunday and said there is no place for them in Ontario.

Two city council members - Brad Bradford and James Pasternak - have also called for a ban on the unauthorized protest in Nathan Phillips Square in an open letter, arguing that it would violate city policies by promoting hatred.

Police also advise people to expect traffic delays and intermittent road closures around the protests.

Deputy Chief of Toronto Police, Lauren Pogue, will provide an update on the response to the planned protests at 11:30 AM.