NEW YORK – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed the ongoing flare-up of tensions around Jerusalem’s holy sites in separate calls with the Israeli prime minister and Palestinian president, Voice of America reported on Sunday.
In statements released after both calls, the UN said 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 clashes in and around the Al-Aqsa compound, a holy site for both Muslims and Jews.
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. (MENA)
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