TEL AVIV, January 17, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Katz, announced on Friday that he has canceled all the administrative detention orders against terrorist colonists in response to the planned release of Palestinian detainees under the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which is set to go into effect on Sunday.

Israel will continue to apply the policy of holding detainees without charge or trial exclusively against Palestinians.

In light of the expected release of Palestinian detainees as part of the ceasefire agreement, Katz said he has decided to release the colonists detained in administrative detention to convey a clear message of strengthening and encouraging the West Bank colonies.

The decision was announced in a statement issued by Katz’s office, following his earlier implementation of a policy not to prosecute these colonists, despite their involvement in violent activities in the West Bank. This policy also includes refraining from issuing administrative detention orders against them.

Katz last canceled an administrative detention order against a colonist on December 13, 2023, when he ordered his release three months before his detention period ended.

Katz’s decision also reverses the decision of his predecessor, Yoav Gallant, who had ordered a six-month administrative detention against a colonist, according to Israeli media reports.

The hardline Israeli politician, reflecting a colonial mindset in his statement, said that it is better for the families of colonists to be happy than the families of released Palestinians.

The statement issued by Katz confirmed that the colonists would be immediately released and sent back to their homes, with no plans to extend their detention.

T.R.