The Gaza Health Ministry says the number of people killed in the enclave since the start of the conflict with Israel in October is now over 23,000, including 9,600 children.  

Meanwhile, Israel says it has begun a new phase of its operations in Gaza as it continues its efforts to eliminate Hamas. 

Joining the discussion:

• Dan Arbell is a scholar-in-residence with the department of history at American University.
• Omar Baddar is a political analyst.
• Negar Mortazavi is a journalist, political analyst and Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy.
• Michael Lynk is a former UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Palestinian territories. 

• Gaza death toll from Israeli onslaught exceeds 23,000 ⁠

• 7,000 missing, 70% are children and women

Israel's attacks on Gaza have gone on for 3 months non-stop https://t.co/kKurlO8u8H pic.twitter.com/xBKJSObbJD

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 8, 2024

Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander in a strike in south Lebanon, sources familiar with the group's operations said, inflicting a heavy blow after three months of hostilities at the Lebanese-Israeli border https://t.co/ECwbEPaY2C pic.twitter.com/XeWgAvLCxa

— Reuters (@Reuters) January 8, 2024