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.

Already, the fragile deal has come under considerable stress, and it could collapse in the weeks to come. Yet for the time being, the fighting has stopped in both Gaza and Lebanon, and hostages have begun to come home.

Trump and top national security aides had spoken earlier in the day about their belief that Gaza was uninhabitable and about a proposal to relocate nearly 2 million Palestinians t