Turkey, which played a central role in forging the now shaky three-week-old ceasefire, is pushing for Muslim nations to bring their influence to bear on the reconstruction of the embattled territory.

Trump's peace proposal, backed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for a halt to hostilities in the nearly two-year conflict, the release of hostages within 72 hours, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Hamas's disarmament.

But US officials and experts say that China's diplomacy is not so much about ending the war as an attempt to change the narrative. Xi "would like to be seen and be taken seriously as a peacemaker," said Robert Daly, director of the Wilson Center's Kissinger Institute on China.

The head of the Western military alliance said he welcomed any proposals that could lead to a "just and sustainable peace". He said China's paper included some positive elements, including emphasising nuclear safety, protecting civilians and territorial integrity.