Holy Land blanketed in snow after intense winter storm
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By Stephen Kalin, Reuters
The Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock are covered in snow in Jerusalem on Dec. 13, 2013. Early snow has surprised many Israelis and Palestinians as a blustery storm, dubbed Alexa, brought gusty winds, torrential rains and heavy snowfall to parts of the Middle East
A snowstorm of rare intensity has blanketed the Jerusalem area and parts of the occupied West Bank, choking off the city and stranding hundreds in vehicles on impassable roads.
Israeli authorities said at least 20 inches of snow had fallen since Thursday and more was forecast.
"In my 54 years I don't remember a sight like this, such an amount I cannot recall," said Nir Barkat, mayor of Jerusalem.
The Israeli military helped police rescue hundreds of people stranded in vehicles on highways near the city. Read the full story.
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man prays at the Western Wall on Dec. 13.
Uriel Sinai / Getty Images Ultra-Orthodox Jews enjoy the snow in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem's old city on Dec. 12.
Vehicles are seen stranded in snow in Jerusalem on Dec. 13. The hilltop city of Jerusalem was paralyzed by its fiercest snowstorm in years, with its mayor calling out the army to help stranded motorists.
A woman swims in the pool at the David Citadel Hotel during a snowstorm in Jerusalem on Dec. 13.