Palestinian supporters of Fatah rally in support of president Mahmud Abbas in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, on July 10, 2021. (ABBAS MOMANI / AFP)

RAMALLAH - Israel and Palestine discussed steps of trust-building for improving security and economy in the region, Israeli and Palestinian media reported on Tuesday.

On Monday night, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received phone calls from his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, in which Herzog congratulated Abbas on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA said.

On Monday night, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received phone calls from his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz

It was the second time Herzog spoke with Abbas in eight days, according to Israeli media reports.

Gantz wrote on Twitter that he spoke with Abbas to express "well wishes on the occasion of Eid al-Adha" and "discussed the need to advance steps of trust-building between us."

ALSO READ: Palestine-Israel conflict: US urged to shoulder responsibility

"Trust-building between Israel and the Palestinian Authority will benefit the economy and security of the entire region," he said.

Diplomatic ties between Israel and Palestine were severed since 2014 because of the Israeli policies of expanding settlements and its measures in East Jerusalem.

Last week, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs Hadi Amr met with Israeli and Palestinian officials in Jerusalem and Ramallah, where the two sides agreed on starting steps of trust-building.

The last peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, brokered by Washington, lasted nine months and broke down in April 2014 because of their deeply-rooted disputes over settlements, security, and borders.

READ MORE: Palestine to stop recognition of Israel if annexation plan implemented