Official: Israel committed to degrading Hamas

Israeli officials defended the country's right to strike at militant targets in the Gaza Strip on Saturday.

At a virtual briefing with reporters Saturday, Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said his country was "committed to degrading enemy capabilities" and to defend civilians.

Conricus was speaking after an Israeli airstrike on Saturday targeted and destroyed a high-rise building in Gaza City that housed offices of The Associated Press and other media outlets.

Hours later, Israel bombed the home of Khalil al-Hayeh, a top leader of Gaza’s ruling militant Hamas group.

Conricus said their operations to stop missile attacks from the Gaza strip had largely been successful.