By Ismail Ozdemir

ISTANBUL

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, discussed bilateral and regional issues in a telephone call Friday, according to the Turkish presidency.

The two leaders discussed the latest developments in Syria and Iraq, as well as counter-terrorism.

Erdogan and Trump also confirmed their determination to increased cooperation and coordination as allies.

Also on the agenda were demonstrations near the Gaza Strip’s eastern border with Israel that began earlier in the day.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip converged on the border to demand the right to return to their homes in historical Palestine.

The demonstrations are also intended to pressure Israel to lift its decade-long blockade of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

Despite the peaceful nature of the rally, at least 14 Palestinian protesters were martyred by Israeli troops.