China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying called for calm and restraint on Monday amid tensions in east Jerusalem between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters.

Speaking at a daily press briefing, the ministry expressed concern over the escalating tensions, which have left hundreds of Palestinians and some Israeli police officers injured.

"We call for calm and restraint to avoid related clashes that could result in further injuries," Hua told reporters.

Hua noted China is willing to play a constructive role in the resumption of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians in line with UN resolutions along with relevant international parties.

Palestinian protesters and Israeli police confronted each other in fresh clashes on Monday at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which is considered the holiest site in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam. 

Israeli Police said in a statement that "thousands of Palestinians rioted" and hurled stones and other objects from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound at police officers.

Video footage on local Israeli media showed police firing tear gas and stun grenades at protesters. Palestinian media reported that Israeli police forces threw stun grenades into the mosque.

Palestinian Red Crescent said over 200 Palestinians were injured, while Israeli police said nine officers were also wounded.

At an urgently convened UN Security Council meeting on Monday, China's permanent representative to the UN, Zhang Jun, condemned the violence targeting civilians and called on Israel to take measures to prevent violence, threats and provocations against Muslims.

Zhang urged Israel to cease demolitions and evictions, in line with its obligations under relevant UN resolutions and international law.

He also called on all parties to exercise restraint, avoid provocative words and actions and encourage a conducive resolution to ease conflict.

Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians spiraled over the past few days, fueled by a planned eviction of Palestinians from their homes in east Jerusalem.

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World reacts to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque clashes

Israeli police announced earlier on Monday morning that Jews will not be allowed to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. 

The decision came amid soaring tensions in the wake of Israel's Jerusalem Day, marked by Israeli nationalists with an annual flag parade that passes through east Jerusalem's Old City.

Israel seized the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and annexed east Jerusalem shortly after the 1967 Middle East war, claiming it part of the Israeli capital. 

In wake of the continuing tensions, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended police actions against Palestinian protesters on Sunday, saying his government "will not allow any extremist element to undermine the quiet in Jerusalem."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern on Sunday and urged Israel to cease demolitions and evictions of Palestinian families.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also expressed "serious concerns" to his Israeli counterpart about the situation in Jerusalem, the White House said on Sunday.

(With input from Xinhua)