Israel to continue bombings despite US calls to tone down campaign

A spokesperson for IDF said its goal is to ensure Hamas is no longer a threat following a deadly terrorist attack on Oct. 7.

After being told by U.S. President Joe Biden to be more careful with Israel's attack on Gaza, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces told Scripps News it plans to continue carrying out attacks on Hamas targets. 

"I would say we continue to be extremely attentive to the U.S. administration," said Lt. Col. Peter Lerner of the Israel Defense Forces. "And when we are talking about moving from high intensity to low intensity, of course, it relates to the reality, the operational reality on the ground. As long as Hamas has hundreds and hundreds of fighters engaging with us or intending on coming into Israel and butchering our babies in their bedrooms, the intensity will be in accordance."

Lerner added that Israel's missions are moving forward. 

The Biden administration has backed Israel, and remained one of its strongest allies, but the U.S. has expressed concerns over the intensity of Israel's campaign in Gaza.

"I want them to be focused on how to save civilian lives — not stop going after Hamas, but be more careful," President Biden said Thursday.