Editing Philistia (section)

==East of Gaza==
[[File:Gerar.jpg|thumb|250px|The area around [[Nahal Besor]] and [[Nahal Gerar]] at the time of Philistine presence]]

The area east of Gaza, particularly around [[Nahal Besor]] that reaches into the hills as far as [[Beersheva]], had a very substantial Philistine presence. This area is a part of the [[Negev]] desert. It also includes [[Nahal Gerar]] to the north that joins Nahal Besor before flowing into the [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite journal|url=http://www.maneyonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1179/0075891413Z.00000000031|doi=10.1179/0075891413Z.00000000031|title=Tell Jemmeh, Philistia and the Neo-Assyrian Empire during the Late Iron Age|year=2014|last1=Ben-Shlomo|first1=David|journal=Levant|volume=46|pages=58–88|s2cid=161673835}}</ref>

This was a heavily populated area during the early [[Iron Age]]. It includes archaeological sites such as [[Tell Beit Mirsim]], [[Tel Haror]], Tel Sera ([[Ziklag]]) along Nahal Gerar, and [[Tell Jemmeh]] and [[Tell el-Far'ah (South)]] along Nahal Besor.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gunnar Lehmann |author2=Steven A. Rosen |author3=Angelika Berlejung |author4=Bat-Ami Neumeier |author5=Hermann M. Niemann |url=https://www.academia.edu/4485617 |title=Excavations at Qubur al-Walaydah, 2007–2009 |publisher=academia.edu}}</ref> All these sites and others in the area had Philistine settlements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://farahsouth.cgu.edu/ |title=Tell el-Far'ah, South -- Israel Excavation Project Website |publisher=Farahsouth.cgu.edu |access-date=12 Jan 2016}}</ref>

When the Neo-Assyrian Empire first invaded this area, the Philistine cities were given considerable autonomy in exchange for tribute. But having responded to various revolts, this policy hardened.<ref name="auto1"/>