“We condemn in the strongest terms the killing of a Palestinian boy in Jerusalem,” EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

“The perpetrators of this act must be brought to justice,” she said.

Sixteen-year-old Mohammed Abu Khder was killed in an apparent revenge attack for the murder by militants of three Israeli youths whose bodies were discovered earlier this week.

There were further clashes on Wednesday between Palestinians and police in east Jerusalem following the teenager’s killing.

Ashton urged Israelis and Palestinians to exercise “maximum restraint” in the wake of the deaths.

“We are extremely concerned about the latest developments which increase the risk of further escalation,” she said.

Tensions have soared across the region since June 12 when three Israeli teenagers disappeared while hitchhiking in the West Bank.

Their bodies were discovered on Monday, with Israel blaming Hamas and vowing to retaliate.