Ashkelon, also known as Ashqelon, is a coastal city located in the Southern District of Israel along the Mediterranean coast. It is situated approximately 50 kilometres south of Tel Aviv and 13 kilometres north of the border with the Gaza Strip.
The modern city takes its name from the ancient seaport of Ascalon, which was destroyed in 1270; the remains of this site are located on the southwestern edge of the current metropolis. The contemporary Israeli city was originally established in 1949 as Migdal, founded about 4 kilometres inland from ancient Ascalon at the Palestinian town of al-Majdal.
Following its conquest by Israeli forces in November 1948, the population underwent significant demographic shifts. While the area was initially inhabited by Muslims and Christians, most of the Arab population fled or were deported between 1948 and 1950. Today, the city's population is almost entirely composed of Israeli Jews.