At the American University of Beirut, dozens of students gathered, some wearing the Arab keffiyeh scarf, and expressed solidarity with Palestinians.

Zeina, a 23-year-old student, asked, "If we do not stand with them today, who will?" The Gaza conflict began after Hamas's attacks on southern Israel in October, resulting in over 1,170 deaths, mostly civilians.

Hamas took over 250 hostages during recent clashes with Israel, of whom 129 are believed to still be in Gaza, with 34 believed to have been killed.

Israel's offensive against Hamas has resulted in the deaths of at least 34,535 people in Gaza, mostly women and children.

Hamas announced plans for a 40-day ceasefire and the release of hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners.

Some students at the protests also expressed solidarity with Hezbollah in Lebanon, where there have been near-daily cross-border fires between Israel and Hamas' ally.

Similar protests occurred at universities in the US, raising concerns about free speech and potential anti-Semitism.

Universities in Lebanon have called in police in riot gear to break up pro-Palestinian rallies, reminiscent of the protest movement during the Vietnam War.

Students at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and Lebanese American University (LAU) demanded an end to Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and South Lebanon.

They urged global student support and praised the global student movement.

At AUB, a female student spoke of the Israeli genocide against Palestinians and at LAU, students raised Palestinian flags, burned an Israeli flag, and expressed solidarity with those in Gaza.

In Lebanon, at least 385 people have been killed in recent months of cross-border violence, with the majority being fighters but also including 73 civilians, according to AFP's count.

Israel reports the deaths of 11 soldiers and nine civilians in the country's northern region.