59. He also appointed Jonathan's brother Simon as governor of the territory from the Phoenician coast to the Egyptian border.
60. Jonathan then marched with his army through the towns of Greater Syria, and all the Syrian forces joined him as allies. He went to Ashkelon, where the people welcomed him with great honours.
61. Then he went to Gaza, but the people there barred their gates against him. So he laid siege to the city and burnt and looted the surrounding area.
62. The people of Gaza then asked for peace, and Jonathan arranged a truce. He took the sons of the leaders and sent them to Jerusalem as hostages. After that he marched on as far as Damascus.