Ban Ki-moon urges calm in statement

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement Tuesday he was deeply concerned by the upsurge in violence between Israelis and Palestinians and called on all sides to "do everything they possibly can to avoid further exacerbating an already tense environment."

Tensions have risen steadily over recent weeks, as one violent incident has followed another. Palestinian leaders have accused Israel of attempting to change the status quo regarding holy sites in Jerusalem, while Israeli leaders have accused their counterparts of dangerous incitement.