Mr George Mitchell, the former US senator who oversaw the Northern Ireland peace process, has been offered the new post of UN humanitarian aid envoy to the Palestinian territories.
It is understood Mr Mitchell's name came forward after Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon appealed to UN Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan for help in dealing with the plight of Palestinians, many of whom are still under curfew in the wake of Israel's incursions in the West Bank.
The former US senator, who gave his name to the 2001 Mitchell plan outlining measures that would lead to a renewal of peace negotiations in the Middle East, would be Mr Annan's personal humanitarian envoy in the region.
Putting such a senior figure in such a prominent job is a sign that the international community is determined to play a significant role in solving the Middle East crisis.
The high-profile post would put him above existing UN officials in the region, including the UN co-ordinator for the territories, Mr Terje Roed Larsen.
Mr Larsen, a Norwegian, was the architect of the now largely defunct Oslo peace accords that led to the creation of the Palestinian Authority under its chairman Mr Yasser Arafat.
News of the offer to Mr Mitchell came amid reports that the so-called Middle East quartet the UN, the US, the European Union and Russia heard a proposal from Mr Annan last week to set up a 14,000-member UN civilian force to help the Palestinians in health, education and welfare.
There are concerns among some aid officials that the appointment of Mr Mitchell to a humanitarian role could take the emphasis away from developing a political solution to the Middle East crisis.
Mr Mitchell is held in high regard by both sides in the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.