Sand swept across the Middle East this week leaving at least 12 dead and hundreds hospitalized.

Hardest hit were Lebanon and Syria although the sand also spread to Jordan, Palestine and even Egypt. Here's what it looked like across the region.

1. The sand swept through Syria's capital

2. It hit Syria's coastal city Tartous

3. Here is a comparison photo of Amman with and without the sand

4. Life in Madaba had to carry on despite the sand

5. At the southern coast of Jordan, visibility was quite low

6. But the sand didn't stop everyone in Aqaba from enjoying the day

7. From Tripoli in the north of Lebanon . . .

8. To Tyre in the south . . .

9. The entire country was blanketed in sand

10. Of course Beirut suffered, too

11. And the storm stretched south to Palestine

12. Of course, people took the necessary precautions

13. In Lebanon, people were already equipped due to the ongoing trash crisis

14. But don't worry, this sand will blow away eventually . . .