Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza; Netanyahu OKs delegation to talks in Qatar

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli airstrikes killed at least 40 people across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, hitting Hamas security officers.

Israel’s military said it targeted a senior police officer, saying he was involved in gathering intelligence used by Hamas’ armed wing in attacks on Israeli forces.

Israel’s military says it only targets fighters and blames Hamas for civilian deaths because its fighters operate in dense residential areas. The army says it has killed 17,000 combatants.

The war has caused widespread destruction and displaced some 90 percent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, many of them multiple times.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he has authorized a delegation from the Mossad intelligence agency, the Shin Bet internal security agency and the military to continue negotiations in Qatar toward a ceasefire deal.

Israeli media said the delegation would depart on Friday. There was no immediate Hamas comment. The U.S.-led talks have repeatedly stalled during 15 months of war.

Netanyahu was released from the hospital Thursday after having prostate surgery Sunday.

Doctors at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital said Netanyahu was recuperating well, although he has a period of recovery ahead. Despite doctor’s orders to remain hospitalized, the 75-year-old leader briefly left the facility to participate in a vote in Israel’s parliament on Tuesday.

Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead in Gaza until Hamas is destroyed. But the terrorist group, while greatly weakened, has repeatedly regrouped in parts of the territory — notably the largely isolated north — after Israeli forces withdraw.