From Gaza to the mouth of the Euphrates, western Asia again obeyed the rule of a Babylonian king.
The death of Nabopolassar recalled Nebuchadrezzar to Babylon, where he assumed the crown.

But the Egyptians still continued to intrigue in Palestine, and the Jewish princes listened to their counsels.

Twice had Nebuchadrezzar to occupy Jerusalem and carry the plotters into captivity.

In B.C.598 Jehoiachin and a large number of the upper classes were carried into exile; in B.C.588 Jerusalem was taken after a long siege, its temple and walls razed to the ground, and its inhabitants transported to Babylonia.

The fortress-capital could no longer shelter or tempt the Egyptian foes of the Babylonian empire.
The turn of Tyre came next.