U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the continuation of the war in Gaza is exactly what Hamas wants, which is to prevent Palestinians and Israelis from living side by side in peace. Biden explained in a statement on social media that "Hamas carried out a terrorist attack because it fears nothing more than Israelis and Palestinians living together in peace." He added that "continuing down the path of terrorism, violence, killing, and war is like giving Hamas what it seeks. We cannot do that."