The Struggles Over Gaza: History's Lessons and Prophecies

Gaza has always been a source of contention for those living in Israel. In the Torah (Deuteronomy 2:23), the Caphtorites (Philistines) are depicted as having taken over the ancient inhabitants of the land, the Avvites, who lived up to Gaza. They destroyed them and settled in their place. Joshua Bin Nun conquered Gaza, but the Philistines reclaimed it. The first Jewish king to rule Gaza was Solomon: "He ruled over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah to Gaza."

Yet, the persistent Philistines returned and captured Gaza, and it was only Hezekiah, King of Judah, who managed to drive them out: "He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza" (2 Kings 18:8).

The Egyptians always had their eyes on Gaza. It was a significant city on the coastal route. As far back as Thutmose III, before the Exodus, he fought for control of Gaza. A hundred years later, the El Amarna letters reveal a letter from the governor of the city "Azzati," pledging loyalty to King Amenhotep.

During the decline and destruction of the Kingdom of Judah, the prophets foretold fitting punishment for all of Israel's neighbors who tormented them and did not assist them. One of these adversaries was the Philistines, and in this context, we find an interesting prophecy in the Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 47: "The word of Hashem that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza: Thus says Hashem: Behold, waters rise out of the north, and shall become an overflowing stream; they shall overflow the land and all that is therein, the city, and those who dwell within; and men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail... Baldness has come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off, the remnant of their valley. How long will you cut yourself?"

Baldness is a sign of mourning. Jeremiah prophesied that soon Gaza would be mourning, and as he notes in his writing, shortly afterward, Pharaoh attacked and struck Gaza.

This happened about twenty years before the Temple's destruction. Herodotus tells us that Pharaoh Necho conquered Kadytis (most scholars believe this refers to Gaza) after the Battle of Megiddo in 609, likely referring to the conquest Jeremiah mentioned.

Hashem had plans to punish the Kingdom of Judah for their sins, and all the suffering inflicted by their wicked neighbors, including the Philistines, was accounted for. But they too would not escape punishment. Alongside the decree of our destruction, there was also a decree of destruction on Gaza, fully carried out by Pharaoh.

With Hashem's will, even today's hostile neighbors in Gaza may see their recompense from the Creator.