Negev residents get 'road map'

IDF provides residents of southern Negev desert with color-coded map to designate driving routes during disengagement
By Ronny Sofer

TEL AVIV - A new color-coded map prepared by the IDF aims to designate driving routes during the upcoming Gaza Strip pullout for the benefit of Negev desert residents.

Army representatives and Negev regional council heads have already finalized most of the new "road map's" details during a meeting held Sunday, Ynet has found.

The new map designates four types of roads, as follows:

Red roads controlled by the IDF, where residents would not be allowed to travel.

Yellow roads, where both military vehicles and civilians would travel.

Green roads, where civilians would enjoy priority.

Blue bypass roads to be constructed by the IDF according to agreements with Negev residents. At this time the army plans to build two bypass roads.

'Road problem won't compromise operation'

During Sunday's meeting, a senior army official told residents the IDF decided to ease the severe travel restrictions initially planned for major Negev thoroughfares. The sides also agreed that IDF roadblocks would also be manned by regional council members, in order to facilitate solutions for urgent transportation problems.

Another issue keeping the security establishment occupied at this time is the road situation in Gush Katif itself.

A senior IDF Southern Command officer told Ynet the army has started to pave new roads in order to allow for quicker movement by security forces.

"We will not allow this large operation to be compromised because of a road problem," he said.

However, the officer noted most efforts would be directed at widening existing roads.