Donald Trump threatens 'massive bloodshed' in Gaza if Hamas fails to accept his peace deal

And last night, Mr Trump confirmed negotiations lasting a "couple of days" had already begun.

Speaking to the press on the White House lawn, he said: "It's a great deal for Israel, it's a great deal for the entire Arab world, Muslim world, and world... We're very happy about it."

Hamas itself has said it would support the US proposal, but with conditions - while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the group had already agreed.

America's 20-point plan includes the full release of all Israeli hostages, the eventual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, and no role for the terrorist group in the future running of Gaza.

But with the clock ticking, the President has issued a chilling ultimatum.

"I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to move fast," Mr Trump said on Sunday.

"I will continue to monitor this centuries-old 'conflict'. Time is of the essence, or massive bloodshed will follow - something that nobody wants to see!"

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On Saturday, the President had warned the group to "move quickly, or else all bets will be off".

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has counselled caution over whether the agreement will truly be signed.

So far, Mr Netanyahu has only said it is "possible" that Hamas will agree to release all the hostages.

"If it doesn't happen, what President Trump has said is that he will back Israel completely in acting forcefully against Hamas... Let's hope that we can finish it the easy way and not the hard way."

But the Israeli PM appears set to face a dilemma at home if a deal is struck.

A hardliner pair of his ministers, sanctioned by the UK earlier this year, have threatened to bring down his Government if it happens.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said halting attacks on Gaza would be a "grave mistake."

While Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has led calls to tear apart the Netanyahu administration if a peace deal comes to fruition.

However, opposition leader Yair Lapid has offered his support for the Trump initiative to succeed - and has vowed: "We won't let them torpedo the deal".

Set to play a central role in a peaceful Gaza is Sir Tony Blair.

The former PM is said to be planning to base himself in the region and will use his contact book to secure funding for the reconstruction of Gaza.

Lord Ricketts, who led the Foreign Office under Sir Tony, said the ex-PM would be a "good influence" on Mr Trump's plans for Palestine.

"He was probably the last British Prime Minister who took a sustained interest in Arab-Israeli peace. Everybody else has regarded it as being in the too difficult tray," he told The Observer.

"Of course, Iraq is the albatross around his neck. But Blair has learned from the mistakes in Iraq, so when it comes to another chance to work on a post conflict transition, he brings that precious experience."