McGurk was arguably the most important figure in shaping Biden’s policy in the war, which withstood pressure from US progressives who wanted to take a harder line against Israel.

He was also one of the main hostage negotiators on behalf of the US and joined forces with Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff after last November’s US presidential election in order to bring the deal over the finish line.

After holding senior national security roles in successive administrations since former president George W. Bush — including a brief stint during Trump’s first term — McGurk left government in January, taking positions at Harvard’s Kennedy School and the Lux venture capital firm.