In a statement released by his spokesman in New York, the Secretary-General warned that the flare-up “risks stymieing efforts to seize the momentum generated by Israel's withdrawal of settlements from Gaza and the northern West Bank.”

Palestinian factions should “heed President Mahmoud Abbas' call on them to cease the public display of weapons, as a step towards abandoning weapons altogether and joining the construction of a democratic Palestinian society,” the spokesman said.

“All parties should be careful to avoid pro-active actions at this critical time, and must at all times take the greatest care to avoid civilian casualties and observe international humanitarian law.”