The United States has condemned the murder of a 14-year-old Israeli boy in the occupied West Bank, as well as the subsequent spike in violence in the Palestinian territory, AFP reports.

“We strongly condemn the murder of 14-year-old Israeli Benjamin Achimeir and extend our sympathies to his family and friends,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

“We are also increasingly concerned by the violence against Palestinian civilians and their property that ensued in the West Bank … resulting in dozens of injuries, property damage and the killing of two Palestinians,” he said.

“The violence must stop.” Miller called on all sides to “take measures to protect all communities from harm,” adding: “We urge Israel and the Palestinian Authority to do everything possible to de-escalate tensions.”