Jerusalem, Dec 13 (IANS): A rare winter storm hit Israel Friday, forcing authorities to close several roads to the capital and launch efforts to rescue thousands of motorists stranded in their vehicles, media reported.

Roads to Jerusalem remained closed Friday morning. In the afternoon outbound lanes of Highway 1 reopened to traffic from Jerusalem in the direction of Tel Aviv, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said the city has been facing "a rare storm, the likes of which we've never seen".

Some 2,000 people in the capital and on the highways leading to the city were rescued by police, IDF and Border Police forces.

Emergency centres have been set up to treat people for cold-related symptoms, The Independent quoted a police spokesperson as saying. The daily added that Gaza experienced its first snow in a decade.

Owing to heavy rains and snow conditions in many parts of the country, police issued a general advisory Friday for the public not to leave their homes.