Al - Afdal would reassert Fatimid control of Ascalon , as the Crusaders did not attempt to retain it .
Al - Afdal utilize it as a staging ground for later attacks on the crusader states .
Al - Afdal would reassert Fatimid control of Ascalon , as the Crusaders did not attempt to retain it , and utilize it as a staging ground for later attacks on the crusader states .