The Hamas-run ministry says over 6,500 Palestinians have been killed and 17,400 have been wounded
President Biden addresses whether he 'demanded' Netanyahu delay ground invasion
President Biden provides insight on his administration's response to the Israel-Hamas war during a press briefing.
President Biden denied the accuracy of casualty numbers provided by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry on Wednesday.
Biden made the comments in response to questions from reporters during a join press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Biden says he has "no confidence" in the ministry's claim that 6,546 Palestinians have been killed and 17,439 have been wounded since Oct. 7.
A reporters asked whether Hamas' statistics suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ignoring U.S. calls to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza.
"What they say to me is that I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed," Biden responded. "I'm sure innocents have been killed, and it's a price of waging a war."
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President Joe Biden speaks at the LSU Tigers Championship Celebration event at the White House in Washington D.C., United States on May 26, 2023. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
"I think we should be incredibly careful – not we – the Israelis should be incredibly careful to be sure that they're focusing on going after the folks that are propagating this war against Israel. It's against their interests when that doesn't happen, but I have no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using," he added.
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Biden's statement comes as Israel has been poised for a ground invasion of Gaza for more than a week. Israel and Hamas have spent the past 19 days exchange thousands of rockets, missiles and artillery barrages.
Biden offered his full support for Israel to root out Hamas terrorists from Gaza. He went say the war must end with a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, adding that there is "no going back." (AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israel says at least 1,400 people, including foreigners, were killed in Hamas' surprise October 7 attack.
Biden offered his full support for Israel to root out Hamas terrorists from Gaza. He went say the war must end with a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, adding that there is "no going back."
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to
