GAZA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- UN special coordinator Tor Wennesland on Wednesday expressed his deep concerns over the tensions on Gaza's eastern border with Israel.

"I am deeply concerned by the escalating tensions in and around Gaza," Wennesland, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, wrote in a post on his X account, calling for efforts to avoid another conflict that will have grave consequences for all.

Wennesland's remarks came a day after his meeting with leaders of Hamas, the Islamist group ruling Gaza, to discuss the developments in the Palestinian enclave amid the ongoing tensions.

Over the past two weeks, Palestinian protesters have held demonstrations near the eastern fence separating Gaza and Israel over issues ranging from the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails to Jewish visits to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, a site holy to both Muslims and Jews.

During the demonstrations, the Palestinian protesters hurled stones and explosive devices at the Israeli soldiers, who responded by firing live and rubber bullets and gas bombs.

The protesters also launched tens of incendiary balloons toward the Israeli towns adjacent to the coastal enclave, setting fire to areas near the separation fence.

In response to the fire balloons, the Israeli military struck Hamas targets with drones and artillery.

Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities shut down the only pedestrian crossing to the Gaza Strip, the Erez Crossing, preventing Gazan workers from reaching their workplaces in Israeli cities.