Defense Minister Israel Katz announced his decision Friday to free West Bank settlers held under administrative detention orders, tying it to the expected release of hundreds of Palestinian terror convicts as part of a hostage-ceasefire deal signed with Hamas in Doha Thursday night.

“In light of the expected release of terrorists from Judea and Samaria as part of the hostage release deal, I have decided to release the settlers held in administrative detention,” he said in a statement, using the biblical term for the West Bank. This, he said, was meant “to convey a clear message of strengthening and encouraging the settlements, which are at the forefront of the struggle against Palestinian terrorism and face growing security challenges.”

He added: “It is better for the families of Jewish settlers to be happy than the families of released terrorists.”

In a terse statement, the Shin Bet said Katz’s decision was made without the security agency’s prior knowledge, and noted that the defense minister did not consult with the agency for an assessment of the implications of the decision.

Katz in November announced an end to new administrative detention orders for West Bank settlers, meaning........

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