Sharjah 24 – AFP: Police forcibly cleared an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters at George Washington University in the US capital on Wednesday, arresting dozens in the latest clash with students demonstrating over the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Republicans in Congress had pressured local authorities to act on the encampment, summoning Washington's mayor and police chief to testify in the House of Representatives later Wednesday.

Congressional Republicans had questioned why it had taken so long for the encampment, which had entered its second week, to be cleared.

But the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee said Wednesday's hearing was canceled now that the encampment had been cleared.

"I am pleased that the potential Oversight hearing led to swift action" by Mayor Muriel Bowser and police chief Pamela Smith, committee chairman James Comer said in a statement.

Democrat Rashida Tlaib criticized the move, however, warning at a press conference that lawmakers "cannot arrest their way out of this growing dissent."

A student speaking at Tlaib's event accused police of sending "multiple" protesters to the hospital.