[dangus]

First, you realize that the Arab inhabitants of Gaza are no more closely related to Phillistines than the Jews are, right? (As long as we capitalize “Phillistines” ;^) ) And the best guess anyone has as to what a Kerethite is is a Cretan? I hesitate to say that the Philistines were completely removed from the land, but given the histories of conquests, dominances and tragedies, I’d find it unlikely that by 1800, a single resident could trace their lineage to the Philistines.

[Jan_Sobieski]

I cannot argue your point because we do not have DNA evidence. However, if they are not the physical descendents of the Philistines, they are certainly the Spiritual Descendents. Same thing with the Egyptians, Moabites, Edomite, and Ammonites.

Additionally, regarding the Philistines coming from Crete. The current narrative is that they were European, however if you read Genesis 10, it states that he Philistines and Caphtorim descended from Ham (Father of the African and Canaanite nations). This might explain why they were driven from Crete.?.?