Tony Blair to 'govern Gaza' under Donald Trump's plan to end the war

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Donald Trump would govern Gaza temporarily under new plans unveiled by the US President this evening aimed at ending the war in Palestine.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was meeting with Trump this afternoon, the White House released a Trump plan for ending the war and provide new governance in Gaza. There's no immediate word on whether Israel or Hamas has accepted the 20-point plan.

The plan calls for a temporary governing board that would be headed by Trump and include former PM Blair. The plan does not require people to leave Gaza and calls for the war to end immediately if both sides accept it. It also calls for all remaining hostages to be released within 72 hours of Israel accepting the plan.

READ MORE: 'I treat patients in Gaza, kids are being shot in stomach and left with stomas'

Trump says Israel would have the "full backing" of the United States to take steps to defeat Hamas if it doesn't accept proposed peace deal. "I think we are beyond very close," Trump said at the start of a news conference with Netanyahu where he detailed the deal.

During his visit to the US, Netanyahu made a call to Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, to apologise for a recent military strike targeting Hamas officials in the Gulf emirate that infuriated Arab leaders and triggered rare criticism by the US of Israel. "As a first step, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his deep regret that Israel's missile strike against Hamas targets in Qatar unintentionally killed a Qatari serviceman," the White House said in a statement.

"He further expressed regret that, in targeting Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations, Israel violated Qatari sovereignty and affirmed that Israel will not conduct such an attack again in the future."

It comes just days after Keir Starmer announced the UK has formally recognised Palestine. Confirming the move on social media - as part of a co-ordinated announcement with Canada and Australia - the Prime Minister said the hope of a two-state solution was "fading...but we cannot let that light go out."

In the summer, the Prime Minister announced that the UK was prepared to recognise Palestinian statehood in September unless Israel met certain conditions. These included agreeing to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, committing to a long-term sustainable peace and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.

But Downing Street now believe the situation has worsened significantly, and Keir Starmer said: "Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine."

The Prime Minister added: "In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two state solution. That means a state and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. At the moment we have neither."