Palestinian demonstrators come into conflict with Israel military forces in the West Bank city of Nablus on April 11, 2022. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Secretary-General Guterres is following with deep concern the escalating violence in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel. He is appalled by the increasingly high number of casualties, including women and children.

The spokesman cited Guterres as saying that children must never be the target of violence or put in harm's way. The Israel Defence Forces must exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only as a last resort when it is strictly unavoidable in order to protect life, he noted.

Dujarric said the UN will continue to work with all sides to de-escalate the situation.

On Monday Israeli forces attacked the West Bank city of Jenin after several days of recent fierce fighting.

Tensions have escalated since a series of attacks in Israel leaving 14 people dead and dozens injured in the past three weeks.