(VOVworld) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Israel and the Palestinians to act swiftly to prevent a "downward spiral" after three weeks of violence.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon (L) addresses a news conference with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the President's residence in Jerusalem, on Oct. 20, 2015. (Photo: Xinhua)

Ban arrived in Israel on Tuesday on a surprise visit, signaling the international community's growing concern that no end is in sight for the current wave of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, which some dub a third Palestinian armed uprising. Ban expressed his hope for an end to the violence and the re-establishment of long-term peace and politics. He stressed the need to resume Israel-Palestine talks, adding that any unilateral act will worsen the situation. Ban called on Israel to investigate any claims of improper use of force and refrain from steps that may further ignite tensions or trigger fear or anger among the 2.5 million Palestinians living in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. The current wave of violence, in the form of lone wolf attacks by Palestinians against Israelis in east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza strip, has claimed the lives of 10 Israelis and more than 40 Palestinians.