UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed grave concerns over the serious escalations in the occupied Palestinian territory including the latest one in Gaza.

Spokesperson for the Secretary General, Stephane Dujarric, in a statement, said the UN Chief is deeply saddened to learn of increasingly large numbers of casualties, including children from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

The Spokesperson said the UN Secretary General has asked Israel to exercise maximum restraint.

Stephane Dujarric said the UN is working with all relevant parties to de-escalate the situation urgently.