ANKARA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to offer his condolences for a powerful earthquake that killed at least 279 people in eastern Turkey, Erdogan's office said.
In the phone call, Netanyahu said the Jewish state was ready to assist Turkey, a statement from Erdogan's office said. Netanyahu's office had no immediate comment.
Ties between the two Middle Eastern countries have been strained since Israeli commandos last year raided a Turkish aid ship bound for the Gaza Strip, killing nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists. (Additional reporting by Allyn Fisher-Ilan in Jerusalem; Writing by Ibon Villelabeitia; Editing by Michael Roddy)
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