But rounds of attack and counter-attack between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in Gaza continued unabated this week, with both sides suffering heavycasualties in what appeared to be an escalating battle.
Laws preventing the burial of livestock on private land have been temporarily relaxed as farmers deal with thousands of casualties from the heavy snow.
But the rebels still control large chunks of the region and tens of thousands of Russian troops remain there, with the rebels continuing to inflict heavycasualties on them.
The rebels, who also reportedly suffered heavycasualties, appear to have been armed with modern weapons looted from the military during a previous attack.
During the days of fighting that followed, the Georgian city of Gori came under heavy fire, with reports of Russian jets shelling parts of the city, buildings on fire and numerous casualties.