The Philistine settlement is thought to have been situated southwest of the excavation site ; its remains are hidden under large sand dunes .
Deir al - Balah remained in Egyptian hands until around 1150 BC when the Philistines conquered the southern coastal area of Canaan .
The Philistines settlement is thought to have been situated southwest of the excavation site ; Deir al - Balah 's remains are hidden under large sand dunes .
Deir al - Balah remained in Egyptian hands until around 1150 BC when the Philistines conquered the southern coastal area of Canaan .