Mad” is how one Middle East source reacted to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a “takeover” of Gaza. So why would someone well versed in Trumpian tactics and the nuance of Middle East diplomacy give such an undiplomatic assessment?

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. Presumably the United States - the new owners of Trump's "Riviera of the Middle East,

Although the president had been talking about the idea for weeks, there had been no meetings on the subject, and senior members of his government were taken by surprise.