A protest in New York City calling for a ceasefire in Gaza has entered its third night, as students continue to occupy the central square of Columbia University, Al Jazeera reports.

The protesters denounced the decision of university president Minouche Shafik to authorise the police to arrest at least 108 demonstrators, who erected tents inside the campus to call attention to the Israeli war on Gaza.

The student protesters are also demanding that Columbia University divest from companies linked to Israel.

The university’s student publication, Columbia Spectator, reported that as of Friday evening, all individuals who were arrested have been released from custody.

But the publication said the university has also begun issuing formal notices of “interim suspension starting late Friday” to students who participated in Wednesday’s “Gaza Solidarity Encampment”.

Outrage over the arrest of the students has set off similar protests at other top US universities, including Harvard and Yale.