The European Union’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas late Monday to discuss “concrete steps” to calm the surge of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Before opening the talks, Abbas told reporters the situation was “extremely serious and grave.”

Abbas added, “it may even deteriorate, and that is my fear.”

“The main reason is the feeling of disappointment [among] the young generation,” who feel there is “no hope,” Abbas said.

There have been almost daily Palestinian attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces. In the past five weeks, 10 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks, mostly stabbings, while at least 51 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, including 30 attackers and the rest in clashes.