Charles Ellicott Commentary Deuteronomy 2:23

"and the Avvim, that dwelt in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim, that came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)" — Deuteronomy 2:23 (ASV)

The Avims who dwelt in Hazerim, even to Azzah, the Caphtorims ... destroyed.—“In Hazerim” should apparently be rendered “in villages.” It does not occur elsewhere as a proper name; it is plural in form, and is found in this sense in some other places. “Azzah,” that is, Gaza. The Caphtorim: compare Amos 9:7: The Philistines from Caphtor. (See Genesis 10:14.) Some identify the country of Caphtor as Cyprus or Crete. But at least this statement indicates Philistia was the scene of a conquest, and the Philistines of the time of Joshua would thus appear to be a mixed race.