Hottest June on record in Israel after temperatures hit 48C

This year's was the hottest June in Israel since record-keeping began in the Holy Land over a century ago, according to the Israel Meteorological Service.

The first half of June, which saw several back to back heat waves, set a new record temperature of 48.1 C or 118.4 F.

A spring heat wave in April saw the hottest day in Tel Aviv since 1907 with the mercury topping 40 C or 105 F.

Meteorological records in the Holy Land began in the early 20th century before the establishment of the State of Israel.