Ashkelon, also known as Ashkelon, Ashkelon, Ashkelon and Ashkelon, is an Israeli city located in the west of Israel, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is known for having been part of Philistine territory in the past.
As one of the oldest settlements in the world, the land around the city has been extensively explored by archaeologists and historians. As a result, several archaeological sites have been created in the region.
Mentioned several times in the Bible, it was one of the main centers of the Philistines. It is remembered for the stories of the judge Samson and his battles against the Philistines.
In this article we present its history, geography and curiosities.
History of Ashkelon (Antiquity)
The city of Ashkelon is certainly one of the oldest in Canaan, with its foundation dating back to 5880 BC.
Throughout the biblical account, the city is presented as a major commercial and military center in ancient times. As one of the main urban centers of the Philistines, the city is mentioned in several biblical events, such as the accounts of the judge Samson and King David.
In addition to the Philistines, the city was inhabited by various peoples, such as the Canaanites, Canaanites and Edomites.
Foundation of Ascalom
According to archaeological evidence, the first occupation of the city of Ascalom dates back to the Neolithic period in 5800 BC.
Being a very ancient occupation, it is difficult to determine clearly which people were the first to inhabit the city’s lands, but it is likely that they were of Canaanite origin, i.e. descendants of Noah’s son Ham.
There is also the possibility that they are of Semitic origin, descendants of Shem.
In its early years, the city didn’t have a very large or militarized population. It’s likely that its first residents were fishermen and farmers, who used the region’s fertile land and the sea for subsistence. They traded a few products and grains with other towns in the region.
Arrival of the Canaanites in Ashkelon
The first major people to develop and settle in the city were the Canaanites, descendants of Canaan. It’s not possible to say for sure when the Canaanites settled in Canaan, perhaps around 3000 BC.
The Canaanites fortified the city, built high walls and militarized it somewhat. They built a port in the city and made it an important regional trading center.
The merchants from the interior of Canaan brought their produce and grain along the trails through Shephelah to the city’s port, where they sold their products to boatmen who took them to other regions, such as Egypt, Asia Minor, the island of Cyprus and Phoenicia.
The Canaanites were known for their skill with iron, so as well as militarizing the city, they made and sold some war equipment, such as swords and shields.
During the period of Canaanite rule, the city grew in power and influence.
Philistine domination of Ashkelon
Around 1700 – 1500 BC all the lands of lower Shephelah, and the south of the west coast of Canaan, were dominated by the Philistines.
Under Philistine rule, the Canaanites were forced to move up into the region of Shephelah, settling in cities like Eshtaol, Zorah and Lachish.
The Philistines were great merchants and fishermen, so during this period the city’s port was enlarged. Phoenician, Egyptian and Greek merchants docked at the port, bringing in and taking away the most varied products.
Ascalom quickly became one of the main Philistine cities, having a king and ruling over all the smaller towns and villages around it.
Among these vassal cities was Timna, remembered from the accounts of the judge Samson and his Philistine wife.
Brief Israeli domination of Ashkelon
According to Judges 1:18, during the campaign to conquer the Promised Land by the tribe of Judah, led by Caleb and Otoniel, the city of Ashkelon was briefly conquered.
The Bible doesn’t describe these battles, it only records that several cities in Philistine territory were conquered by the tribe of Judah, the tribe of Simeon and the Kenite people.
Although it is not known how long Israel ruled over these cities, it is known that this rule was brief.
Throughout the text of Judges it is recorded that Ashkelon, and the other cities, were inhabited by Philistines. This suggests that at some point the Philistines expelled the Israelites from the region, some suggesting that it was during the time of the judge Shamgar.
“The men of Judah also conquered Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron, with their territories.”
Judges 1:18 (NIV)
Samson kills 30 men of Ashkelon
During his wedding in Timna, Samson proposed a riddle to some of the Philistine men in the city. If they got the riddle right, Samson would give them 30 pieces of clothing and if not, they would have to give 30 pieces of clothing to the judge.
In order to discover the meaning of Samson’s riddle, the Philistines threatened his wife so that she would bother the judge, discover the riddle and tell them.
After questioning the judge several times, Samson told the answer to the riddle to his wife, who told the Philistines.
When the Philistines told Samson the meaning of the riddle and the judge discovered that they had threatened his wife, he went down to the town of Ashkelon and killed 30 men. He took the men’s clothes and gave them to the inhabitants of Timna.
Samson’s revenge was viewed with great threat and fear by the Philistines.
Some time after this event, Samson faced several Philistine soldiers in the city of Ramath-lehi (Judges 15:14-17).
Although Ascalom is not mentioned, it is believed that the soldiers the judge faced came from the city, as it was one of the largest and most militarized in the region.
Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant and Ashkelon sends gold to Israel
In 1 Samuel, chapters 4 to 6, the Bible tells us that the Ark of the Covenant was seized by the Philistines and taken to the temple of Dagon in the city of Ashdod.
In Ashdod, the Lord caused the statue of Dagon to fall twice in front of the Ark of the Covenant, breaking it as it fell. The people, afraid, demanded that the ark be sent to another city. From Ashdod the ark was taken to Gath.
In Gath, God brought a great plague upon the inhabitants of the city. Frightened, the people revolted and demanded that the ark be sent to another city. So the ark was taken from Gath to Ekron,
In Ekron, like Gath, God brought a plague on the people, who began to get tumors and sores on their skin. Frightened, the Philistine leaders decided to send the ark back to Israel.
After seven months in Philistine territory, the ark returned to Israel. In addition to the ark, the Philistines sent images and pieces of gold, 5 images and 5 pieces.
This gold was sent by the main Philistine cities: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath and Gaza.
The gold and the chest were put on a cart. And the cart was sent to the city of Bethshemesh.
“The Philistines sent these golden tumors to the Lord as a trespass offering: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath and one for Ekron.”
1 Samuel 6:17 (NIV)
Saul and the Philistines
Throughout Saul’s reign, there were several battles between the Philistines and the Israelites. Although it is not mentioned directly, it is possible that the city of Ashkelon supplied soldiers who fought against Saul and his army.
At this time, the city continued to be an important port in Canaan. However, military conflicts between the Philistines and the Israelites prevented Israel from trading with the city.
David and the Philistines
Throughout David’s reign, he had several battles and alliances with the Philistines and their cities.
The city of Ashkelon is mentioned only once in the account of David’s life and reign. During his lament for the death of Jonathan and Saul, he mentions Ashkelon, saying that Saul’s death should not be announced in the city, lest the enemies rejoice at Israel’s defeat.
Amos prophesies against Ashkelon
During the reign of Uzziah, king of Judah, the prophet Amos prophesied destruction upon the city.
In his prophecy, the prophet declared that all the inhabitants of Ashkelon and their leader would be destroyed by the Lord.
During Uzziah’s reign there were conflicts between the Israelites and the Philistines (2 Chron 26:6-23). Uzziah invaded the Philistine cities and broke down their walls. The cities most affected were Gath, Ashdod and Jamnia.
“I will destroy the inhabitants of Ashdod and him who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will raise my hand against Ekron, until the last of the Philistines dies,” says the Sovereign LORD.”
Amos 1:8 (NIV)
Zephaniah prophesies against Ashkelon
During the reign of Josiah, the last good king of Judah, the prophet Zephaniah prophesied the ruin of the main Philistine cities.
In his prophecy, Zephaniah says that Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron and Gaza would be abandoned and the Philistine pastures would be handed over to the Jews.
The prophecy also says that a time would come when the houses of Ashkelon would be inhabited by the remnant of Judah.
Some believe that this prophecy came true with the creation of the State of Israel, in which the region of the ancient city of Ashkelon came under Israeli rule.
Jeremiah prophesies against Ashkelon
As recorded in chapter 47 of his book, Jeremiah prophesied against the Philistine cities, announcing that they would be attacked by their enemies.
In the prophecy Jeremiah says that Ashkelon, Gaza and the other cities of the Philistines would be destroyed by an enemy coming from the north (Jer 47:2).
As a fulfillment of the prophecy, years later the region of Philistia was dominated by Assyrians and then Babylonians, peoples coming from Mesopotamia, north of Canaan.
Zechariah prophesies against Ashkelon
Like Amos, Zephaniah and Jeremiah, the prophet Zechariah prophesied against the Philistine cities, announcing the fall of the Philistines.
Zechariah declared that the Philistine cities would be empty and inhabited by unknown peoples.
A while later, the land of the Philistines was taken over by the descendants of Edom. They founded the so-called Idumea, the land of the Idumeans, another name for the Edomites.
Ashkelon during the Assyrian and Babylonian domination
During the 8th and 7th centuries BC, the ancient city of Ashkelon was dominated twice by the Assyrian Empire, first by Tiglath-Pileser III and then by King Sennacherib.
Because of foreign domination, the Philistines rebelled several times, resulting in the city being partially destroyed and rebuilt. With each new revolt, the Assyrians besieged the city, destroyed its two walls and killed part of its population.
The same happened during the Babylonian conquest of Canaan: the Philistines rebelled against their rulers countless times, leading to new moments of destruction and rebuilding of the city.
Gradually the Philistine population declined, which led to the weakening of the people, the loss of power of their cities and the eventual assimilation of the Philistines by other local peoples.
Idumean domain of Ashkelon
After the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions, the Philistines gradually lost their power in the region and ended up mixing with other local peoples. Over the years, the city of Ashkelon came to be inhabited by the Edomites, descendants of Edom/Esau, Jacob’s older brother.
The Edomites migrated to the region of Sephela around the 6th and 5th centuries BC, shortly after the fall of the Babylonian Empire and the conquest of the Persian Empire. The Edomites settled in the land, took over the ancient Philistine cities and founded Idumea (Land of the Edomites).
This small vassal kingdom existed until the rise of Rome, which dominated the region and renamed it Palestine, a Latin way of saying Philistia (Land of the Philistines).
During these five centuries of Edomite rule, Ashkelon continued to be an important port in Canaan. Thanks to the domination of foreign peoples, such as the Persians, Macedonians, Seleucids and Romans, regional tensions diminished, enabling the city’s inhabitants to focus on trade and expansion.
History of Ascalom during the Middle Ages
The most important period for the city of Ashkelon was certainly during ancient times, when the Philistines dominated the region. However, the city continued to be inhabited for many years and was an important port for much of the Middle Ages.
In this section we briefly present its history, from Roman rule to its destruction by the Mamluks in 1270 AD, and briefly its reconstruction by the Ottomans in 1512 AD.
Roman and Byzantine rule of Ashkelon
Despite its regional importance, Ashkelon has always been rivaled in political, economic and military importance by Ashdod, a port city a few kilometers to the north.
During the Roman and Byzantine domains, the city’s port remained one of the main ones in the region, losing relevance to Ashdod at times and gaining at others.
With the rise of the Muslims and the loss of Byzantine rule in ancient Canaan, Ashkelon, as well as Ashdod, Gaza and other cities, came under Muslim domination.
Battle of Ascalom in 1099 AD.
The city of Ascalom remained relevant until the end of the First Crusade. In the First Crusade it became one of the main battle points in the region, and was also the site of the last clash between the Muslims and the Christians at the end of the First Crusade.
Start of the First Crusade
The First Crusade, which took place between 1095 and 1099, was called by Pope Urban III in 1095.
The pope wanted to recover the territory lost by the Byzantines during the Muslim advance in the 6th century AD, just as he wanted to control Jerusalem, the Holy City. [1]
The First Crusade began on August 15, 1096, when several European soldiers set off for the Holy Land.
Victories and conquest of Jerusalem
After a series of battles between 1096 and 1099, the Crusaders quickly dominated the Holy Land, captured the ancient cities of Canaan, expelled the Muslims and took over Jerusalem [2].
The conquest of Jerusalem in June 1099 marked the conquest of the Holy Land and its recovery for the Christians.
Muslim counterattack on August 12, 1099
Less than a month after the capture of Jerusalem, the enemy army, led by Al-Afdal Shahanshah, gathered on the outskirts of the city of Ashkelon to carry out a counter-attack. It is estimated that the Fatimid army numbered around 20,000 men, while the Crusader army had less than 12,000 soldiers.
Despite the smaller number of soldiers, the Crusader army managed to carry out a surprise attack on the Muslims. On the morning of August 12, 1099, the Crusaders invaded the enemy camp outside the walls of Ascalom. The Muslims were quickly defeated.
Al-Afdal Shahanshah, who led the Islamic army, fled by ship to Egypt. It is estimated that approximately 12700 Muslim soldiers died in this attack. [3]
After defeating their enemies, the Crusaders captured all the city’s weapons and supplies.
Despite the defeat, a few years later the Muslims managed to reconquer the city. They began to use it as a point of attack within the territory of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, ruled by Baldwin III.
Siege of Ashkelon in 1153 AD.
In 1150 AD, King Baldwin III of Jerusalem rebuilt the city of Gaza and gave it to the Knights Templar. Gaza was rebuilt to try to stop Muslim attacks coming from Ashkelon, a few kilometers to the north. [4]
Due to Muslim advances and internal political issues, King Baldwin III partially lost control over the Kingdom of Jerusalem [5].
At the end of 1152, Baldwin III managed to defeat his internal enemies and put an end to the civil war that had begun. He was able to rally his troops to put an end to the invasion of the Seljuk Turks from the north. [5]
With the victory over the Turks, Baldwin III decided to put an end to Muslim control over Ascalom. The king led his army to the Mediterranean coast, destroying all the farms on the way. The few remaining Muslims took refuge in the city’s fortress.
Siege of the city of Ashkelon in 1153 AD.
The siege of the city began on January 25, 1153 AD and ended on August 22 of the same year.
The siege was marked by numerous invasion attempts by the Crusaders and strong resistance from the Islamists. Ascalom resisted thanks to supplies and troops sent by the Fatimid Caliphate, which maintained a strong navy in the waters near the city. [6]
Muslim defeat
Despite all the resistance, the city fell after a series of attacks by the Crusaders in August 1153. They weakened the city walls to the point where they partially broke down. The Crusader army passed through the gap in the wall and took control of the city. [7]
With the defeat of Ashkelon, the Kingdom of Jerusalem increased its power and regional control. On the part of the Muslims, the defeat was viewed with great shame, because even with great help from the Fatimid Caliphate they were unable to resist and maintain their positions within Crusader territory.
Saladin’s reconquest of Ashkelon
During Saladin ‘s advance and conquest of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the city of Ascalom was retaken by the Muslims, who used the city as a point of defense for their territory and an attack against the Crusaders’ onslaughts.
Destruction of Ashkelon in 1270 BC.
In 1270, the leaders of the Mamluk Sultanate of Cairo ordered that the fortress of Ascalom, the port and all the houses in the city be destroyed. As a result, all the city’s remaining inhabitants migrated to other regions.
It is not known why the sultanate destroyed the port and the city. Some suppose that it was because they feared that the city would fall under enemy rule and be used to attack the Muslims. This seems unlikely, given that all the crusades after Saladin’s reconquest failed.
Reconstruction of Ascalom by the Ottomans
After the expansion of the Ottoman Empire over Palestine in 1512, and its domination of the Lower Sephela region and the Mediterranean coast, some ancient cities were rebuilt and inhabited again.
A village called Al-Jura was founded on the ruins of the ancient city. In 1576 this village was considered the sixth largest urban center in Palestine, with a population of 2795 [8].
Given that at the time only adult men were considered citizens, it is estimated that the real population was around 9,000 people.
During Ottoman rule, the city’s port was rebuilt and it regained some of the regional relevance it had in ancient times.
Ascalom’s recent history (19th and 21st century)
After the Middle Ages, the ancient city of Ascalom never again exerted its strength and influence as extensively as before. After its reconstruction by the Ottomans, the city was used as a small port by fishermen and locals.
The main ports on the Mediterranean coast of Palestine became Jaffa and Gaza.
In this section we present the history of Ashkelon from the last years of the Ottoman Empire, through British rule, the creation of the State of Israel and up to the present day.
End of Ottoman rule
During Ottoman rule, the town of Ascalom, then the village of Al-Jura or Al-Majdal, was administered as part of the province of Damascus, also called the Eialete of Damascus.
Ancient Ottoman records show that the population of the village decreased over the centuries. In 1576 the village had approximately 3,000 men [8], while in 1870 the population was just 1,175. [9][10]
With the end of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War, the province of Damascus was divided between the French and the British. They created three large territories:
British Mandate of Palestine
With the creation of the British Mandate of Palestine in 1922, the village of Al-Majdal, formerly Ascalom, was reorganized and its port restructured.
Initially the village had a mixed population of Christians, Jews and Muslims, but over the years the Christian and Jewish population migrated to other regions, resulting in the town’s population becoming practically Islamic. [11]
During this period, the village became an important regional textile center, with a large weaving industry.
Despite rivaling textile products from Europe, by the 1930s the small village was responsible for almost all the silk and sash production in southern Palestine. [12]
Because of the clashes between Arabs and Jews, the city experienced some of the political and military tensions between these peoples. Despite this, there is no record of any major battles taking place in the village of Al-Majdal during this period.
State of Israel
Shortly after the creation of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, the Arab-Israeli War began. In the months following the creation of the new country, the village of Al-Majdal, formerly Ascalom, was occupied by the Egyptian army, allies of the Palestinians. [13]
First Arab-Israeli War
The village has become one of the main points of defense for the Palestinians and their allies, just as it has become one of the main targets for the Israelis.
The army of the new state of Israel carried out a series of bombardments and air raids on the village, weakening the Palestinian forces and forcing them to retreat [13].
After a successful invasion operation, the Israelis took the village and forced the enemy army to flee to Gaza, a town a few kilometers to the south.
The then general, Yigal Allon, ordered the expulsion of the remaining Palestinians [13][14]. Despite the order, the village experienced a growth in the Palestinian population, due to the increase in the number of refugees and Palestinian migration from neighboring villages to Al-Majdal.
According to Palestinian reports, the Palestinian population was kept imprisoned in ghettos, confined areas surrounded by barbed wire. [15]
The Israeli state made several agreements and offered various incentives for the migration of the Palestinian population to Gaza. Gradually, after the war, the remaining families were deported to Gaza, with the result that the population of the village became mostly Israeli. [13]
Creation of the modern Ascalom
According to the Armistice Agreements of 1949, the village of Al-Majdal was handed over as part of Israeli territory. It was restructured as a town in 1950 by the Israeli government.
The State of Israel has carried out a major repopulation plan for the old towns on the Mediterranean coast. Numerous immigrants from Yemen, North Africa and Europe began to make up the population of Al-Majdal and neighboring towns. [16]
Between 1950 and 1953, the city was renamed several times, first Migdal Gaza, then Migdal Gad, then Migdal Ashkelon. After a decision by a local city council, it was renamed Ashkelon, Ascalom in Portuguese. [17]
Modern Ascalom
After the creation of modern Ascalom, the city jumped from a population of 16,000 in 1955 to 106,000 in 2005 [15]. A growth of almost 700% in just 50 years. In 2015 it was considered the sixth largest city in the State of Israel. [18]
In addition to population growth, the city has developed into an important industrial, agricultural, tourist and fishing center in the region. Due to this economic growth, it became one of the main destinations for Jewish refugees from Arab countries, Romania and Poland. [19]
The city is also frequented by Israeli tycoons and big businessmen. In the early 1960s, businessman Zvi Segal created a luxury neighborhood called Barnea [20].
Ascalom today
Today Ascalom is one of Israel’s main cities, with a large population and economic and political power in the country.
Due to the conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians, and its proximity to the Gaza Strip, several military exercises take place on the land near the city.
Its proximity to Gaza makes it one of the main targets of Hamas terrorists. [21]
Ascalom’s monuments, buildings and landmarks
The city of Ascalom has several monuments and buildings that tell the story of the city and are used for religious festivities.
Ascalom National Park
Ascalom National Park contains the oldest buildings and monuments in the city.
In the park you’ll find the ancient walls of the city fortress, ruins of Canaanite, Philistine, Byzantine and Crusader buildings. [22]
The park also contains the ruins of several funerary tombs, some from the period of Greek domination, others dating back to Roman and Byzantine rule. Some of these tombs are decorated with figures of mythological deities from the pagan peoples who lived in the city. [23]
Inside the park is an archaeological site, used by historians and archaeologists to understand and discover some of the ancient history of the region.
Ascalom’s old gate
The Ascalom Gate is the oldest building in the city and the oldest arched gate in the world.
It’s not possible to say for sure when the gate was built, but some scholars believe it dates back to the end of the Philistine period.
Ascalom Museums
The city has two large museums. These exhibit some of the finds from the archaeological site in the city park.
The city’s museums are
- Ashkelon Khan Museum;
- Open-air museum.
Ashkelon Khan Museum
The Ashkelon Khan museum displays various objects found at the city’s archaeological site. Among these finds are:
- Ceramics from the 14th century BC;
- Ancient armor;
- Remains of weapons.
The main object on display in the museum is a replica of a Canaanite silver calf. [22]
Open-air museum
The city’s open-air museum is located in the Ascalom National Park, next to the city’s cultural center. The museum’s main exhibit are two Roman funerary caches. [22]
Port of Ascalom and water park
Much of the strength of the city of Ascalom, its historical importance and the reason it has remained inhabited for so many years, is due to the fact that it is located on the seafront and has had an active port in the region since its inception.
Today, the city’s port has been refurbished and has given way to a shipyard, which offers repair and docking services for boats belonging to the city’s residents and visitors [22]. Port activity is now carried out a little further north, in the town of Asdode.
In addition to the shipyard, the town has a water park and several beaches, such as Dlila Beach and Bar Kochba Beach [22] .
Ascalom’s religious importance
As a city that was inhabited for several centuries by Muslims, especially during the Crusades, an important mosque was built in the city in the 11th century and lasted until 1950.
The Shrine of Husayn ‘s Head was a mosque built by the Fatima leader Badr al-Jamali. According to Islamic tradition, the mosque housed the head of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. [24]
This mosque was used as a place of pilgrimage by Muslims, both Sunni and Shia. They gathered in the sanctuary to pray and listen to sermons.
Destruction of the Shrine of Husayn’s mosque
The mosque was destroyed in July 1960 by Israeli forces [25]. After its destruction, the site gave way to the Barzilai Medical Center hospital.
On a plot of land behind the hospital, Shiite Ismaili leader Mohammed Burhanuddin built a small marble platform for prayers. The platform was erected as a means of maintaining the memory of the old mosque. [26]
Ascalom and Hamas
Although little known, some of the founding members of the terrorist group Hamas were born in villages near the town of Ascalom.
The terrorist group’s founding leader, for example, was born in the ancient city of Al-Jura in 1936, a city that became modern-day Ashkelon during the British Mandate of Palestine. [27]
Hamas attacks on Ashkelon
Due to its proximity to the Gaza Strip, the city has been one of the main targets of Hamas terrorist attacks.
2008 attacks
On the 1st and 2nd of 2008, the terrorist group fired a series of rockets at the city, leaving seven dead and several injured, as well as causing a great deal of material damage to the city, destroying property, part of the infrastructure and civilian homes. [28]
That same month, on the 12th, a shot from the Gaza Strip hit a shopping mall in the city, leaving several people injured. [29]
2009 attacks
A year later, in March 2009, the city was again targeted by Hamas. They fired several projectiles, which hit a school, destroying classrooms and injuring students and teachers. [30]
2021 attacks
In 2021, the city was again the target of a massive Hamas attack. The terrorists fired several bombs at the city, leaving some dead and several wounded. [31]
Israel-Hamas war of 2023
Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas War of 2023, the city has been one of the main targets of terrorist bombing. Several shots have been fired at the city, leaving several wounded and dead. [32]
Discrimination against Palestinians in Ashkelon
Among the terrorist attacks against the city, discriminatory actions against Palestinians and Arabs were carried out by Ascalom leaders.
In November 2014, for example, the city’s then mayor began a policy of discrimination against Arab workers. The mayor prevented people of Arab origin from working on the construction of bomb shelters and any other building against terrorist attacks.
The prime minister at the time, Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned the mayor’s actions and compared it to the anti-Semitic discrimination faced by Jews in the past.
Despite the controversy, some defend the mayor’s view. They claim that this is a measure to prevent possible terrorists infiltrating the city’s Arab population from introducing bombs to destroy these shelters. However, it is not possible to identify with certainty whether or not there are infiltrating terrorists, whether of Arab, Jewish or any other origin. [33][34]
Geography of Ascalom
The city is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea on Israel’s southern coast. The area is flat, with few low hills.
Being on the shores of the sea, the city’s soil is fertile and well irrigated. Thanks to this, the various peoples who have lived in the city have used its land for agriculture and grazing.
Ascalom’s climate
The city has a Mediterranean climate and is hot most of the year. Despite the heat, the city is humid because it is on the edge of the sea.
Meaning of Ascalom
The name “Ascalom” comes from the Hebrew Ashkelon(אַשְׁקְלוֹן) and, according to historians, is of Semitic origin.
The real meaning of the name is uncertain. Most historians believe that the name is associated with the act of carrying out a commercial exchange. Based on the root shkl, found in the name, which means “to weigh” or “scales”, it is believed that the name is a reference to the carrying out of trade, suggesting that the city was a place where people gathered to trade.
Learn more
[Podcast] BTCast 191 – Canaan Series the others. Bibotalk.
[Podcast] BTCast 168 – The others in the Bible. Bibotalk.
[Video] WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF THE PEOPLES? Arabs, Israelites, Moabites, Philistines, and much more! Israel with Aline.
[Video] The Battle of Ashkelon. Medieval Handbook.
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[10] Hartmann, 1883, p. 131, noted 655 houses.
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[12] Shelagh Weir, “Palestinian Costume”. British Museum Publications, 1989. ISBN 978-0-7141-1597-9. pages 27-32. Other fabrics produced include Shash (white muslin for veils), Burk/Baytal-shem (plain cotton for underdresses), Karnaish (white cotton with stripes), “Bazayl” (flannelette), Durzi (blue cotton) and Dendeki (red cotton).
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[14] Orna Cohen (2007). “Transferred to Gaza of Their Own Accord” The Arabs of Majdal in Ashkelon and their Evacuation to the Gaza Strip in 1950. The Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
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[17] Benzaquen, John (November 19, 2010). “Neighborhood Watch: Ashkelon’s ‘Anglo quarter’”. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com.
[18] With 32,000 New Housing Units Ashkelon to Become Israel’s 6th Largest City”. jewishpress.com. 30 October 2015.
[19] Khalidi 1992, p. 117.
[20] Margalit, Talia. “Periphery without a center”. Haaretz.
[21] Hamas launches missiles on Israeli city after warning the population. Channel Middle.
[22] “Ashkelon National Park”. Jewishvirtuallibrary.org.
[23] “Places to see in Ashkelon”. Israel-a-la-carte.com.
[24] Talmon-Heller, Daniella; Kedar, Benjamin; Reiter, Yitzhak (January 2016). “Vicissitudes of a Holy Place: Construction, Destruction and Commemoration of Mashhad Ḥusayn in Ascalon” (PDF). Der Islam. 93: 11-13, 28-34.
[25] rief History of Transfer of the Sacred Head of Hussain ibn Ali, From Damascus to Ashkelon to Qahera By: Qazi Dr. Shaikh Abbas Borhany PhD (USA), NDI, Shahadat al A’alamiyyah (Najaf, Iraq), M.A., LLM (Shariah) Member, Ulama Council of Pakistan. Published in Daily News, Karachi, Pakistan on January 3, 2009
[26]Talmon-Heller, Daniella; Kedar, Benjamin; Reiter, Yitzhak (January 2016). “Vicissitudes of a Holy Place: Construction, Destruction and Commemoration of Mashhad Ḥusayn in Ascalon” (PDF). Der Islam. 93: 11-13, 28-34.
[27] Kabahā, Muṣṭafá (2014). The Palestinian People: Seeking Sovereignty and State. Lynne Rienner Publishers, Incorporated. p. 323.
[28] Bassok, Moti (May 16, 2007). “Ashkelon, Sderot residents file 1,000 damage claims over recent rocket attacks”. Haaretz.
[29] “Iranian made rocket strikes Ashkelon – Ashkelon”. Jeruselum Post.
[30] “‘Improved’ Kassam slams into Ashkelon school”. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1 March 2009.
[31] “Two dead, over 70 Israelis injured after rockets strike Ashkelon, Ashdod”.
[32] Hughes, Clyde (10 October 2023). “Hamas warns residents of coastal Israeli city to evacuate before rocket attack”. Yahoo News.
[33] “Jerusalem Mayor: We cannot discriminate against Arabs”. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. November 22, 2014.
[34] Ho, Spencer. “PM, senior ministers pan Ashkelon mayor for barring Arab workers”. The Times of Israel.
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