This week, the Middle East became a winter wonderland. It snowed in Egypt today for the first time in over a 100 years, and earlier this week parts of Israel got blanketed in a winter storm, the likes of which it hadn't seen in at least 50 years, according to The Weather Channel.

In Jerusalem, schools and offices were closed and public transportation was briefly suspended after heavy snowfall on Thursday, while a storm named Alexa continues sweeping across Syria and Lebanon, bringing with it high winds and freezing temperatures.

The cold weather has been particularly difficult for Syrian refugees, many of whom are living in tent camps and are unprepared for freezing temperatures. Two children reportedly froze to death in Syria, Euronews reported.

These Reuters photos show how people in the Middle East reacted to the unexpected snow.

Men built a snowman in front of the Dome of the Rock, a sacred spot in Jerusalem's Old City. Orthodox Jewish men roll a snowball at a park in Jerusalem. Orthodox Jewish men roll a snowball after a snowstorm at a park in Jerusalem on Dec. 12, 2013. Amir Cohen/Reuters

An Orthodox Jewish man builds a snowman in Jerusalem. An Orthodox Jewish man builds a snowman in Jerusalem after a snowstorm in December, 2013. Amir Cohen/Reuters

Public transport was briefly suspended in Jerusalem and parts of the occupied West Bank after heavy snowfall on Dec. 12, 2013. Public transport was briefly suspended in Jerusalem and parts of the occupied West Bank after heavy snowfall on Dec. 12, 2013. Amir Cohen/Reuters

People improvised cold-weather gear in Jerusalem's Old City. Jerusalem's Old City during snowfall on Dec. 12, 2013. Darren Whiteside/Reuters

Schools and offices in Jerusalem and parts of the occupied West Bank were closed after heavy snowfall on Dec. 12, 2013. Near Damascus Gate outside Jerusalem's Old City during a snowstorm on Dec. 12, 2013. Darren Whiteside/Reuters

For some, the snow was a welcome surprise. Schools and offices in Jerusalem and parts of the occupied West Bank were closed after heavy snowfall on Dec. 12, 2013. Amir Cohen/Reuters

Free Syrian Army fighters play with snow in Raqqa, eastern Syria. Free Syrian Army fighters play with snow in Raqqa, eastern Syria, Dec. 11, 2013 Nour Fourat/Reuters

Free Syrian Army fighters throw snow in Khan Tuman, Aleppo. Free Syrian Army fighters throw snow in Khan Tuman, Aleppo, Dec. 11, 2013. Ammar Abdullah/Reuters

Syrian refugees play with snow in a tented settlement a few kilometers from the border in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. Camps like this one have been particularly hard-hit by the cold weather. Syrian refugees play with snow in a tented settlement a few kilometres from the border in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley Dec. 11, 2013. Mohamed Azakir/Reuters