Jerusalem's Old City blanketed by rare snow

Heavy fall across parts of Israel and the Palestinian territories overnight

A woman takes a selfie in front of the Dome of the Rock, on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount on a snowy morning in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters

Children build a snowman in front of the Dome of the Rock. Reuters

Another snowman after a snowstorm near the Jaffa gate. EPA

The picturesque scene after snowfall near Jaffa gate in Jerusalem. The winter storm called 'Elpis' has also affected Turkey and Greece. EPA

Residents were advised to avoid travelling around Jerusalem as bulldozers were working to remove the deeper lying snow. EPA

Elpis blew cold and windy weather into much of Israel. AP

Many schools were closed after the heavy snowfall. Reuters

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man carries a Torah scroll at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Reuters

A man shovels snow at Damascus gate. Reuters

The wintry weather led to poor visibility in the old town. AP

But people were outside enjoying the snow. AP

Jerusalem after the snowstorm, as seen from the Mount of Olives. Reuters

Ultra-Orthodox Jews walk unsteadily on snow-covered ground at the Western Wall. AP

Children kick snow by the Dome of the Rock. Many of them were delighted that schools were closed. Reuters

The ancient sites of Jerusalem’s Old City were blanketed in snow on Thursday, after a rare storm swept the city.

At Al Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam’s third-holiest site, the golden Dome of the Rock was dusted white.

Children and adults alike played in the plaza, while below, at the holiest site where Jews can pray, snow carpeted the base of the Western Wall.

Footprints dotted the narrow alleys of the Old City, occupied East Jerusalem and other sacred sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The snow brought parts of the city to a standstill, with some roads to Jerusalem closed overnight.

The storm swept in across northern Israel and also brought snowfall to the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

With the snow expected to give way to rain, the Israel Meteorological Service warned of a flood risk on the coast and in parts of the Jordan Valley.

Snow has fallen elsewhere in the Eastern Mediterranean this week, causing travel chaos in Turkey’s Istanbul and the Greek capital Athens.