Early Snow Surprises Israelis, Palestinians

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.

Jerusalem schools cancelled classes and buses in and out of the city were not operating Thursday. Palm and cypress trees were blanketed in white, people threw snowballs along the walls of Jerusalem's Old City and a snowman was built across from a U.S. Consulate building.

It also snowed lightly throughout the West Bank. Schools and government offices were closed.

Gaza's health ministry said 30 people were evacuated to hospitals after heavy rains caused flooding on Wednesday.

Gaza's Interior Ministry said the roof collapsed on a house in the coastal strip, injuring three people, and families were moved into shelters because of flooding.