Gaza Conflict Escalates Amidst Ceasefire Negotiations

Israel has confirmed that its forces killed Hamas's Gaza chief, Mohammad Sinwar, on May 13, with the Israeli military stating he was the target of a strike on a hospital in southern Gaza. Sinwar, known as 'The Shadow', was the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader killed by Israeli forces last October. Hamas has not confirmed or denied Sinwar's death. The development comes as Hamas made a counter-offer on a US-proposed ceasefire deal, seeking amendments to achieve a permanent ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages. US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff called Hamas's counter-offer "totally unacceptable", while a senior Hamas official said the group had not rejected the proposal but was seeking changes. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with aid groups reporting that dozens of World Food Programme trucks had been hijacked and looted, and communities starving due to a lack of aid.

At least 15 Palestinians were killed and over 100 wounded in Israeli tank shelling and gunfire near an aid distribution centre in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to medics and local residents. The incident occurred when thousands gathered near the centre, run by the US-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and Israeli tanks approached and opened fire. The victims were transported to a Red Cross field hospital on donkey carts as rescue teams were unable to reach the scene.

Hamas has responded to a US ceasefire proposal with a counteroffer, saying it is prepared to release 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 dead hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas demands changes to the plan, including a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and guarantees for continuous humanitarian aid. The US and Israel have rejected Hamas's counteroffer, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff calling it "totally unacceptable" and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stating that Hamas continues to refuse the updated proposal. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 54,381 people killed in Gaza since Israel launched a military campaign in response to Hamas's cross-border attack in October 2023.

Hamas responded to a U.S.-led proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, seeking amendments to achieve a permanent ceasefire, Israeli military withdrawal, and unimpeded humanitarian aid. The militant group's response included a proposal to release 10 living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. A senior Hamas official said the response included "notes and amendments" to the proposal, particularly on U.S. guarantees, hostage release timing, aid delivery, and Israeli troop withdrawal. The U.S. envoy to the Middle East deemed Hamas' response "totally unacceptable," while a Hamas official claimed they responded "positively and responsibly." Meanwhile, the United Nations reported that 77 aid trucks were stopped by desperate Palestinians, who took the food before it reached its destination, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where nearly 2.3 million people are on the brink of famine.

Dozens of Palestinians were shot dead and injured near an aid distribution site in Gaza on Sunday, with the Palestinian health ministry and hospital officials saying 31 people were killed and over 200 injured. The Israeli military denied firing at or near the site, but acknowledged firing warning shots towards individuals about 1 kilometer away. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes with random gunfire, and witnesses told CNN that people were trampled and fired upon as they attempted to receive aid. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which runs the site, denied any gunfire occurred, claiming reports were "false" and "fabricated" by Hamas.

Multiple Palestinians were killed and dozens injured near a US-backed aid center in southern Gaza, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health blaming the Israeli military for the deaths, while witnesses also claimed local security personnel opened fire. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and Israel Defense Forces denied gunfire at or near the site, with the IDF calling the accusations "false reports." Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and deadly.

A potential Israel hostage deal is in doubt after Hamas added new demands to a US-backed ceasefire proposal, including a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and unrestricted humanitarian aid. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff deemed Hamas' response "totally unacceptable" and urged the group to accept the original framework to begin talks, which could lead to a 60-day ceasefire and the return of hostages. Hamas is holding 58 hostages, with around 24 believed to be alive, and the proposed deal involves releasing 10 living hostages and some bodies in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners.

At least 21 people were killed and 175 wounded in Gaza while trying to receive aid from an Israeli-backed foundation, according to a Red Cross hospital. The incident occurred in Rafah, where witnesses claimed Israeli troops fired on crowds near aid delivery sites, contradicting the foundation's claim of distributing aid "without incident".

More than 20 people were killed and over 100 wounded near an aid distribution site in Gaza's Rafah city when Palestinians gathered to obtain food came under fire. The Israeli military initially denied involvement, but later said troops fired warning shots at "suspects" approaching them. Palestinian paramedics and the International Committee of the Red Cross reported receiving numerous casualties, with many having gunshot or shrapnel wounds. The incident occurred amid a new aid distribution program backed by Israel and run by US security contractors, which has been criticized by aid agencies and the UN for being part of Israel's military strategy.