Where was Gaza geographically located in ancient times?
Gaza lay at the lower curve of the Mediterranean Sea, wrapping around its southwestern curve. It stood on the normal trade route running down from Jerusalem into Egypt and onward into Africa. The route from Jerusalem down to Gaza was described as desert, placing Gaza south of Jerusalem toward Egypt.
Les explains that Gaza is located down at the lower curve of the Mediterranean Sea, where it wraps around that southwestern curve. It was the normal trade route down into Egypt and from thence down into Africa, toward Ethiopia. In the passage, Philip is supernaturally transported from the area around Samaria and Jerusalem down into the area of Gaza. The angel of the Lord told Philip to arise and go toward the south, to the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. So Gaza was reached by a desert road going down from Jerusalem, and it sat on the route toward Egypt and Africa.