NEW YORK: Clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians at a Jerusalem holy site could spark more widespread violence in the region, a UN envoy warned Tuesday.

UN coordinator Nickolay Mladenov delivered the warning to the Security Council on the third straight day of violence at Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

“As the Middle East faces a vicious tide of terror and extremism, such serious provocations have the potential to ignite violence well beyond the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem,” Mladenov said.

The EU also warned against any “provocation.”

“The reported violence and escalation (at the site) constitute a provocation and incitement” ahead of important Jewish and Muslim holy days, European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters in Brussels.

“It is crucial that all parties demonstrate calm and restraint and full respect for the status quo of the holy sites,” Kocijancic said.

The 28-nation EU had recently “issued an appeal for full respect of the holy sites and said very clearly that any change of the status quo would have deeply destabilizing effects,” she added.

Protesters fear Israel is seeking to change rules governing the site, which allow Jews to visit but not pray, despite Israeli denials.

Israeli police armed with stun grenades and tear gas continued their aggression against protesting Palestinian youths who barricaded themselves inside Al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday, police and witnesses said, in the third day of violence at the sacred site.

King Abdallah of Jordan said the Israeli actions were provocative and could imperil ties between the countries, state media reported in Tuesday and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Israel’s actions.

Twenty-six Palestinians were injured on Tuesday, none of them seriously, the Director of the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency unit, Amin Abu Ghazaleh, said.

Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri said five officers were lightly wounded and two Palestinians were arrested.

Some stone throwing spread to other areas of the Old City, police and a witness said, with no injuries reported.