9 January 2013 Last updated at 13:06

In pictures: Storms sweep Middle East

Flooded railway tracks during stormy weather in Tel Aviv. 9 Dec 2013

Extreme winter weather including torrential rain, high winds and even snow has swept parts of the Middle East. In the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, flooding hit the rail system and major roads, leading to severe traffic jams.

Wind in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood, 8 January 2013

High winds and rain caused problems for this shopper in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood. Israel's meteorological office says this winter is set to be the wettest in a decade.

Car windscreen covered with snow in Druze village of Majdal Shams on Golan Heights. 8 January 2013

Israeli public radio said schools in the northern Golan Heights - where snow has been falling - would remain closed on Wednesday.

Fallen tree near the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Jerusalem, on 7 January 2013

Earlier, strong winds brought down trees in the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.

Flooding in the West Bank of Jenin. 8, Jan 2013

West Bank towns and villages have also been affected. This driver got stuck in Jenin where a bus carrying 30 Palestinian children had to be rescued from floodwaters by Israeli soldiers.

Flooding hits homes in Rafah, Gaza Strip. 9 Jan 2013

In the Gaza Strip, heavy rain flooded homes in the southern city of Rafah, leaving many residents needing to be rescued. The storm also cut power to thousands of homes.

Workers repair drain along flooded main street in Amman. 8 January 2013

Many shops and businesses in the Jordanian capital Amman were closed by flash floods that overwhelmed the city's drainage system.

Mud at Zaatari Syrian refugee camp, Mafraq, Jordan, near the Syrian border

Rain, wind and freezing overnight temperatures have spelled misery for thousands of Syrian refugees living in camps in northern Jordan, like here in Zaatari.

Wave crashing into Beirut's Corniche, a seaside promenade, Lebanon. 8 Jan 2013

In the Lebanese capital, Beirut, the storms have sent waves crashing over the seafront. Torrential rain also turned many city roads into a quagmire.

Snow covered main road linking Beirut to Damascus after heavy snowstorm in Sawfar village, eastern Lebanon. 8 Jan 2013

In Sawfar village, eastern Lebanon, unusually heavy snow covered the main road linking Beirut with the Syrian capital Damascus.

Heavy snowfall also blanketed Damascus early on Wednesday, with more forecast to come.

Middle East

In pictures: Storms sweep Middle East

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