JERUSALEM

A senior delegation of Israeli officials traveled to Chad this week to discuss the possibility of renewing diplomatic relations between the two countries, Israeli media reported Thursday. 

Chad cut relations with Israel almost 40 years ago following the latter’s occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 

In September of last year, Dore Gold, then director-general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, visited the North African country for talks with Chadian officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently expressed his government's hope of bolstering ties with African states with a view to offsetting their longstanding support for the Palestinians at UN institutions.