Four Israeli rock climbers were tragically killed yesterday in flash floods that ripped through canyons around the Dead Sea. MDA said the victims were three men and a woman in their 20s who had been in a group of 11 in the area, a rocky region of deep ravines, caves and lofty crags. The Dead Sea is surrounded by desert and generally arid cliffs. In spring, however, rain falling in Yerushalayim�and neighboring hills can come rushing down the steep descents, causing sudden and violent torrents in otherwise dry spots.