<p>Earlier today (Wednesday), the IDF identified a drone that had crossed from Egypt into Israeli territory. IDF troops dispatched to the scene downed the drone, which was carrying four rifles, five cartridges, and hundreds of bullets. The weapons and ammunition were transferred to security forces for further investigation.</p>

<p>The IDF announced that earlier today (Wednesday), four suspects approached IDF soldiers stationed in southern Lebanon. The soldiers questioned the suspects in the field.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF not to allow population entry into the area of the ​​villages near the border in southern Lebanon at this time, in accordance with the first phase of implementing the ceasefire agreement that went into effect today.</p><p>The IDF arrested four Hezbollah operatives, including an area commander, who entered the restricted area and stated that it will continue to take strong action against any violation of the ceasefire agreement.</p>

<p>Axios reporter Barak Ravid reported, citing an Israeli official, that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided to notify the ICC that Israel is going to appeal the decision to issue arrest warrants against him and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister's office released a statement emphasizing that "the State of Israel denies the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and the legitimacy of the arrest warrants that have been issued against the Prime Minister and the former Defense Minister."</p><p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who updated him on the efforts that he is advancing in the US Congress against the ICC and countries that have cooperated with it.</p><p>Parallel to the efforts in Congress, Israel submitted an announcement to the ICC today regarding its intention to appeal to the court along with a demand to delay implementation of the arrest warrants.</p>

In an official statement issued by Hamas, the terrorist organization states that it is interested in advancing efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a "genuine and complete" deal to exchange hostages for terorrists.

<p>President-elect Donald Trump has nominated General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia.</p>

<p>American mediator Amos Hochstein, who helped broker the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect today, spoke to Israel's Channel 12 News this evening (Wednesday) about the agreement.</p><p>"Over the last 3 months or so, really an effort to bring into an actual ceasefire. I think the real issue was the linkage that Hezbollah had made between Lebanon and Gaza and being able to break that linkage. De-linking the two conflicts was the key to solving this one," Hochstein said.</p><p>In response to critics of the deal from figures like Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Hochstein said, "Hezbollah is weakened, it is degraded, and at some point, you have to say, 'what's the point of degrading it [further]? You have to get to a deal."</p><p>Addressing concerns that a better deal or outcome could have been reached, he said, "There are fantasy deals that are utopia."</p>