Ashkelon or Ashqelon is a coastal city in the Southern District of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, 50 kilometres (30 mi) south of Tel Aviv, and 13 kilometres (8 mi) north of the border with the Gaza Strip. The modern city is named after the ancient seaport of Ascalon, which was destroyed in 1270 and whose remains can now be seen at the archaeological site on the southwestern edge of the modern metropolis. Ashkelon is the third largest city in the southern district of Israel, and the most highly targeted city when terror rockets are being launched from Gaza, giving them 45 seconds to run for safety from the moment the alarm for incoming rocket fire is sounded. Not all homes in Ashkelon, have rocket-proof saferooms.
