The great buildings of Palestine are not to be ascribed to the Jews (for they were not a great building people), but to the Byzantine and Crusading Christian epochs.
a.d. 1170.—The Crusading castle at Dârûm (Deir el Belâh), three hours south of Gaza, was unsuccessfully stormed by Saladin.
a.d. 1170.—On December 20, Saladin made a dash on Gaza, but did not get possession of the citadel. He entered the city, and killed several of the inhabitants.
a.d. 1177.—-At this date there were many Knights Templars in Gaza.
a.d. 1187.—Gaza passed into the hands of Saladin, after the Battle of Hattin on July 5.
a.d. 1192.—During the Third Crusade King Richard destroyed the Castle of Dârûm at Whitsuntide.
The walls of Gaza were dismantled after Richard Cœur de Lion's peace with Saladin in 1193.
a.d. 1238.—Defeat of the Crusaders at Gaza.
a.d. 1239.—Muslims were surprised in the neighbourhood of Gaza by Theobald, Count of Champagne and King of Navarre.