Beit She'an, also known as Beisan, and historically known as Scythopolis is a city in the Northern District of Israel, which has played an important role in history due to its geographical location at the junction of the Jordan River Valley and the Jezreel Valley.
In the Biblical account of the battle of the Israelites against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, the bodies of King Saul and three of his sons were hung on the walls of Beit She'an. In Roman times, Scythopolis was the leading city of the Decapolis, a league of pagan cities.
The population of the town was completely changed in 1948-50; the town's inhabitants had been entirely Muslim and Christian until the battle over the city during Operation Gideon caused them to flee, and the remainder were expelled. The new Israeli state replaced the population with Jewish immigrants in the subsequent months.
In modern times, Beit She'an serves as a regional centre for the settlements in the Beit She'an Valley. The ancient city ruins are now protected within the Beit She'an National Park.