State troopers are currently moving in on a protest camp at the University of Texas at Dallas
In California, the vice-chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles has reported "horrific acts of violence" Tuesday night at the university's own pro-Palestinian encampment
Footage online shows masked counter-demonstrators - supporting Israel - attacking their rivals with sticks and attempting to dismantle barricades
One person wearing a Palestinian flag was seen being dragged and beaten before the two sides were separated by police
In New York, police arrested about 300 protesters during campus raids at Columbia University and City College of New York in New York on Tuesday night, officials say
City officials also alleged that “outside agitators" had "co-opted" a peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstration, echoing statements from officials elsewhere in the country
US universities have been gripped by protests over the war in Gaza, as students demand a boycott of companies and individuals with ties to Israel
Image source, Getty ImagesColumbia Students for Justice in Palestine, one of the main groups involved with the encampment, vowed to defy the order to leave or face suspension.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, and the group called on activists to "protect the encampment".
"Do not sign anything with administration," the group wrote.
On Monday morning, university president Nemat "Minouche" Shafik revealed in a statement, external that "since Wednesday, a small group of academic leaders has been in constructive dialogues with student organisers to find a path that would result in the dismantling of the encampment".
"Regretfully, we were not able to come to an agreement," she said.
At the weekend, the school denied rumours of "an impending lockdown or evictions on campus" and told students it had no plans to bring back police "at this time".
But in a new letter circulated to encampment organisers, the school warned it "will need to initiate disciplinary procedures because of a number of violations of university policies".
Students were instructed that, if they voluntarily leave the protest and sign a form accepting "an Alternative Resolution" by 1400 local time, they will be allowed to complete their semesters.
Those who do not will be unable to close out the semester and will be temporarily barred from campus, with those scheduled to graduate no longer eligible to do so.
Columbia University in New York has become the focal point of the country's debates over the war in Gaza and US support for Israel, as well as fears that antisemitism is putting Jewish students in danger.
"It is past time for the university to act decisively, disband the encampment, and ensure the safety and security of all of its students," a group of Democratic lawmakers wrote on Monday in a letter to the school's board of trustees.
The letter, external, signed by leading pro-Israeli voices and high-profile Jewish members of Congress, described the encampment as a "breeding ground for antisemitic attacks on Jewish students".
"The time for negotiation is over; the time for action is now," the 21 Democrats wrote, calling on board members to resign if they were unwilling to act.
See how Gaza campus protests spread across the US
Brandon Livesay
Reporting from New York
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the university protests in the US, where pro-Palestinian protest groups have set up encampments across multiple college campuses.
The movement ignited at Columbia University on 18 April, when New York police officers were called in and arrested more than 100 students.
Today, the focus is once again on Columbia. University administrators have ordered students participating in the ongoing pro-Gaza campus encampment to disband or face disciplinary action.
In a letter on Monday, the school warned of interim suspensions for all students who do not voluntarily leave the protest by 1400 EST (1800 GMT).
Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates as the deadline approaches.