IDF hummer near Egyptian border (file)
IDF hummer near Egyptian border (file)Moshe Shai/Flash 90

The IDF has announced that Highway 12 will be closed to traffic starting at 5:00 am Friday, because of the danger posed by fighting between ISIS and Egyptian military in the Sinai desert.

The highway circumvents the mountains of Eilat from the north and west, and connects Eilat to Highway 10 and Highway 40, which lead toward central Israel.

The closure is being carried out in accordance with instructions issued by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, and approved by Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon.

The IDF said that the closure is temporary.

"The IDF is prepared to defend the residents of the state of Israel and will do all it can to preserve the life routine and prevent damage to the fabric of life of the local residents,” the military added.

The IDF began taking extra precautions along Israel's southern borders on Wednesday, after a group associated with the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Sinai Peninsula launched a coordinated attack against Egypt that killed 50 Egyptian soldiers. 

One hour after the attack security officials closed the Kerem Shalom and Nitzana crossings, after they deemed both as potential attack sites. Trucks and employees at the crossings have also been evacuated from the area.