Route 12´s southwest segment to remain open between 8 am and 5 pm, for first time since last August´s deadly border attack

Israel´s Route 12 which leads to Eilat opened for traffic on Sunday for the first time since the terror attack that claimed the lives of eight people last August, the IDF Spokesperson´s Unit said. The decision was made based on recent status evaluations and extensive prep work on security along the highway.

Southern Command Chief Major-General Tal Tusso decided that the segment between the Sayarim Junction and the Netafim Checkpoint will allow unlimited traffic between 8 am and 5 pm.

The IDF stressed that traffic is only permissible on the road itself and that passengers will not be allowed to go off the road to the area between the road and the international border.

Travelers driving east of Route 12 will have access to the road between 8 am and 4 pm only.

The order does not apply to soldiers and officers required to enter the area as part of their service duty.

As part of efforts to beef up security along Route 12 the army erected a massive 23-foot high fence and dug ditches that run alongside it to prevent the passage of vehicles.

In addition, dozens of new observation posts, equipped with security cameras, antennas and radar systems, were positioned along the road. The observation posts can monitor activity deep within the Sinai Peninsula - in Egyptian territory.

The army has also taken measures aimed at preventing terrorists from digging their way underneath the fence to the Israeli side of the border.

IDF elements nevertheless stressed there is still a danger of abductions by Sinai terrorists. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 02/26/12)