Defense Minister Hulusi Akar thanked his outgoing Israeli counterpart Benjamin Gantz for his efforts to restore bilateral relations, the Turkish Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

Gantz called Akar to pay his respects just as his tenure as Israeli defense minister comes to an end.

In the phone call, Akar stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations on the basis of mutual interests and sensitivities, the ministry said in a statement.

He also thanked Gantz for his contribution to bilateral relations and wished him health, happiness and success in his new political life.

Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu is set to form the upcoming government after winning a majority in the Knesset earlier this month.

Gantz paid a visit to Türkiye in October, the first by an Israeli defense minister in over a decade.

Gantz heralded a new era in his country's overt security ties with Türkiye after a decadelong rupture, marked by the whirlwind visit to Ankara.

"For over a decade there were no formal security ties," Gantz said, following meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Defense Minister Akar.

"Today we're changing that, in a responsible and gradual process that serves Israel's interests".

Türkiye and Israel are two countries "with rich historical backgrounds and promising futures," said Israel's defense minister, adding that his country views Türkiye as "an important global actor."

Türkiye and Israel have been taking steps to normalize their strained relations for the past two years, and in August, the countries agreed to restore full diplomatic ties and reappoint ambassadors and consuls general after a four-year hiatus.

Türkiye in 1949 became the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize Israel. Bilateral relations began to fray in 2008, following an Israeli military operation in Gaza.

Relations then froze in 2010 after the deaths of 10 civilians following an Israeli raid on the Turkish Mavi Marmara ship, part of a flotilla trying to breach a blockade by carrying aid into the Gaza enclave.

A brief reconciliation lasted from 2016 until 2018, when Türkiye withdrew its ambassador and expelled Israel's over the killing of Palestinians during a conflict with Gaza.

Following months of diplomatic warming, Israel and Türkiye announced on Aug. 17 the full restoration of relations and the return of ambassadors to both countries.

Earlier this year, Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Ankara as part of his first visit to Türkiye by an Israeli leader since 2008.