Snow-covered rose in Shiloh, southern Samaria. Photo: Miriam Bonimovich, Tazpit News Agency.

JNS.org – The Israeli Finance Ministry’s preliminary estimates place the total damage caused by the recent snowstorm in Israel at 300 million shekels, or $86 million, Israel Hayom reported.

Finance Minister Yair Lapid created a joint situation room with the directors of the Israeli Finance, Interior, Social Affairs and Social Services, Education, and Health ministries, as well as local authorities, to deal with immediate financial needs created by the storm. Additionally, Israeli farmers warned that the storm would raise fresh fruit and vegetable prices significantly.