UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has discussed the flare-up of tensions around Jerusalem's holy sites in separate calls on Saturday with the Israeli prime minister and Palestinian president.
In statements released after both calls, the UN said Mr Guterres discussed “efforts to lower tensions, end provocations and unilateral steps, and restore calm".
More than 200 people, mostly Palestinians, have been wounded over the past week in confrontations with police in and around the Al Aqsa compound, a holy site for both Muslims and Jews.
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Palestinians put out a fire following violence between Israeli security forces and demonstrators at Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters -
Palestinian members of the public help firefighters extinguish flames in woodland at Al Aqsa Mosque compound, following violence between protesters and Israeli security forces. AFP -
Israeli security forces inside Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, following clashes with Palestinian protesters. AFP -
Palestinian demonstrators in Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound, with the Dome of the Rock shrine in the background. AFP -
Palestinian protesters in Al Aqsa Mosque compound, in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters -
Protesters in Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Reuters -
Israeli police in riot gear enter the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Officers fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at Palestinian protesters. AP -
Palestinians gather at the compound after violence broke out on Friday. AFP -
Israeli police inside Al Aqsa Mosque compound - also known as Haram Al Sharif - the third holiest site in Islam. AFP -
The violence comes after the killing of several people in Israel and the occupied West Bank in recent weeks. AFP -
Palestinian youths hurl stones towards police at a gate to Al Aqsa Mosque compound. Reuters -
Protesters stand beside the Dome of the Rock shrine in Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP -
AL Aqsa Mosque compound is a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, sparking fears of a resumption of last year’s 11-day Gaza War. Reuters
Palestinians have been outraged by a massive Israeli police deployment and repeated visits by Jews to the holy site. Access to the Al Aqsa compound and other holy sites is governed through a tenuous agreement that is supposed to allow freedom of worship, while also outlining security conditions.
Mr Guterres “reiterated that the status quo at the Holy Sites must be upheld and respected,” both statements read.
The clashes at Al Aqsa come amid a wave of deadly violence, which has sparked fears of a wider conflict.
Rocket launches from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday and Thursday prompted retaliatory strikes from Israel.
But after similar attacks from Gaza on Friday night and Saturday morning, Israel decided not to launch counter-attacks, instead saying it would close its only border to the enclave on Sunday.
