Middle East under snow – in pictures

Taken through the windshield of a car, this picture shows Lebanese drivers rushing to help others stuck in the middle of the main Beirut-Damascus highway during a snow storm near the mountain village of Mdeirej Photograph: JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images

Palestinian worshipers walk near the Dome of the Rock at the al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem following a snowstorm. The hilltop city of Jerusalem was paralysed by its fiercest snowstorm in years, with its mayor enlisting the army to help stranded motorists. Main roads into the Holy City, which climb around 795 metres (2,600 feet) above sea level were closed and police appealed to drivers not to attempt the journey Photograph: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images

Israelis enjoy sliding on the snow on December 13 in Jerusalem. Heavy storms continued throughout Israel, causing traffic disruptions and power outages across the country Photograph: Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images

An Ultra Orthodox Jew is seen walking in the snow at the Western Wall compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, Israel Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA

A Syrian child stands in the snow in a refugee camp in the town of Arsal in the Lebanese Bekaa valley. Thousands of Syrian refugees living in makeshift camps in Lebanon were weathered a winter storm that brought snow, rain and freezing temperatures to the country Photograph: -/AFP/Getty Images

A boy plays with snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman, Jordan Photograph: Majed Jaber/Reuters

Israelis try to move a stranded vehicle from the snow in Jerusalem Photograph: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images

Three women walk along a snowed street in the northern Israeli village of Majdal Shams, Golan Heights, on the Israeli-Syrian border. Reports state that the snow storm crossing Israel has flooded roads, felled trees and delayed public transportation. Severe winter weather is forecast for the coming days Photograph: Atef Safadi/EPA

A Syrian youth draws a heart in the snow on a car in Damascus Photograph: Uncredited/AP

Palestinian emergency workers help drivers after they became stuck in snow during snowy weather in the West Bank city of Nablus Photograph: Alaa Badarneh/EPA