Tony Blair has been criticised for supporting Israel's plans to withdraw from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, reports the Telegraph.

The controversial US-supported plan wrecks the "road map" that had been described as the only route to peace in the region.

However, the Guardian reports that by issuing a personal condemnation of Israeli tactics rather than leaving it to Jack Straw, the prime minister is distancing himself from both the US and Israel.

Blair assured MPs yesterday in the House that the plans did not form "a final settlement".

The prime minister has condemned Israel's killing of Hamas leaders and backed the road map, but opponents say that the announcement in Washington last week means that previous agreements are dead in the water.

His critics have reminded him it is not in the power of the US to cede Palestinian negotiating positions.