UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, expressed on Sunday his deep concern over “the deteriorating security situation in occupied Jerusalem during these holy days.”

Wennesland’s statement came after dozens of Palestinian Muslim worshipers were wounded by Israeli fire in a brutal Israeli raid into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem following dawn prayer.

“The provocations on the Holy Esplanade must stop now. I call on political, religious and community leaders on all sides to help calm the situation,” said the UN official. “Allowing tensions to spiral further only risks another escalation.”

Wennesland said the UN was in close contact with key regional partners and the parties to calm the situation, urging the authorities to immediately de-escalate the situation and prevent any further provocations.