Tony Blair to join Donald Trump in leading transitional Gaza Government as US President outlines plan to end war with Israel

The US President has confirmed an economic plan to reenergise and rebuild the much destroyed enclave.

When asked if he was optimistic about achieving peace in Gaza, Mr Trump told reporters: "I am. I’m very confident."

One official suggested the patience in the White House is wearing thin with the Israeli government, telling The Telegraph: "Everyone, and I mean everyone, is exasperated with Bibi [the nickname for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu]."

A White House peace plan for Gaza released on Monday proposes an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants and the return of all hostages, living and dead, within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting the agreement.

If both sides agree to the proposal, "the war will immediately end," according to the plan. Israeli forces will withdraw to agreed upon lines to prepare for the hostage release.

Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans who were detained after the start of the war on October 7, 2023, the plan said.

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Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

The terrorist group and other factions will have to agree to not have any role in governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form.

Upon acceptance of this agreement from all parties, full aid will be immediately sent into Gaza Strip and the IDF would retreat their troops "in phases."

If Hamas rejects the deal, Mr Trump says that Prime Minister Netanyahu has his "full backing to do what you have to do."

The plan has been backed by Mr Netanyahu, who told Mr Trump: "I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims."

Mr Trump, standing alongside Mr Netanyahu at the White House, said agreement would involve Arab countries and should help to achieve a broader peace in the Middle East.

He told a press conference: "At least we're at a minimum, very, very close. And I think we're beyond very close.

"I want to thank Bibi for really getting in there and doing a job."

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed the White House proposal to end the war in Gaza, writing on social media that a durable peace between Palestinians and Israelis is essential for political stability and economic growth in the region.

Back at home, David Lammy has said any administration in Gaza would have to have "confidence" of Palestinians.

The Deputy Prime Minister told the Labour conference: "Clearly any authority in terms of its administration, the policing of Gaza or rebuilding of Gaza, would have to have the confidence of Palestinian people, and so I suspect it would have to include leadership that they can identify with, that probably include the Arab world.

"So that’s my instinct, but I don’t know. I’ve seen speculation about Tony. I have no idea whether that is a serious proposition.

"I suspect Tony will play, might play a part, or has a role potentially to play, but there’s quite a lot of dimensions as to the governance of Gaza afterwards."