Israel – As dense air began moving in on Wednesday afternoon, the result in a change in wind direction and an approaching winter storm, a prevalent haze set in, increasing in intensity during the night. This led to an air quality alert in most areas of the country on Thursday morning due to sand carried in from the reverse winds.

Environmental Ministry officials issued an alert for elderly persons and anyone with pulmonary or cardiac conditions to attempt to remain indoors until later in the day until the predicted rains will hopefully wash away the impurities in the air.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)