In a tense confrontation between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and law enforcement, a protester was injured on Thursday morning as police cleared the encampment that had been occupied for nearly a week at UCLA. Despite calls from fellow protesters to stop throwing objects at officers, projectiles continued to be hurled, prompting one officer to use a "less-lethal" round, hitting a demonstrator in the chest.

The injured protester fell to the ground and remained in a ball for about a minute before being attended to by medics. With the help of bulldozers, items including tents, chairs, and yoga mats were cleared from the encampment and placed in a dumpster.

The UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment released a statement, condemning the actions of law enforcement and claiming that many protesters had been rushed to the emergency room after being struck by rubber bullets. However, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) denied the use of rubber bullets and stated that there were no serious injuries reported.

Contradicting accounts have emerged, with Times reporters and photojournalists witnessing instances of protesters being injured during the clearing. The LAPD interim Chief, Dominic Choi, expressed relief that there were no serious injuries to officers or protesters, although it is unclear how this determination was made so quickly.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) also echoed Choi's statement, saying that there were no serious injuries or life-threatening illnesses. LAFD personnel were present at UCLA and attended to five patients with minor injuries, two of whom were transported to a hospital for treatment. However, no information regarding the identities of the injured individuals was provided.

While law enforcement maintains that no serious injuries occurred, scenes inside the encampment and its medical tent paint a different picture. Reports suggest that some individuals required medical attention and were seen being rushed to the medical tent with injuries.

A collective effort has emerged to identify and hold accountable those who engaged in violence at UCLA. With distrust in police delivering justice, some individuals are taking matters into their own hands.

The extent of the protester's injuries is not clear, but sources indicate that one individual who was shot with a less-lethal round had to undergo surgery on his finger, with amputation being considered. Social media posts from another injured protester showed him with a bloody head bandage and blood-stained clothing, noting that he received stitches and staples.

As the aftermath of the clash continues to unravel, questions arise about the handling of the protest and the determination of injuries. Authorities direct inquiries to UCLA, while the UCLA Police Department has yet to provide a response.

The fallout from the clearing of the pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA brings attention to the ongoing tensions and divisions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.