The ideal of remaining on one’s land despite threats of expulsion is at the heart of the Palestinians’ struggle and self-identity, and was on vivid display last week when hundreds of thousands returned to northern Gaza despite its near-total destruction.

Western allies of the US and Israel are also against the idea.Some - perhaps many - Palestinians in Gaza might be tempted to get out if they had the chance. But even if a million left, close to 1.5m others would still be there.

In interviews, some Palestinians said they would rather leave Gaza, given the inescapable devastation — but the decision was theirs, not Trump’s, to make.