Soon "Gaza will be forsaken, Ashkelon a desolation, and Ashdod emptied out at noon day" (Zephaniah 2).

"What are you to Me O Tyre and Zidon and the coasts of Philistia (Gaza).... I will swiftly return retribution on your own head" (Joel 4).

According to Jewish apocalyptic tradition, the feared Anti-Moshiach Armilus will reign from Gaza and perish there: "Ashkelon will see it and be afraid. Gaza too will writhe in great pain; Also Ekron, for her expectation has been confounded. And the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited" (Zechariah 9)."I will send fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof" (Amos 1).