But beneath his astonishing plan were echoes of forced displacement that have shaped Palestinian society since 1948. The establishment of Israel that year in the Arab-Israeli war is known to Palestinians as the Nakba, or “catastrophe,” because of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes.

Initially, it was unclear whether Trump wanted Gazans to temporarily or permanently leave the Gaza Strip during its reconstruction. Israelis responded with a mix of support and scepticism. US officials later clarified there were no plans to commit funds or troops to the initiative.

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.