PARIS (Reuters) -France said on Wednesday it believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had immunity to actions by the International Criminal Court which is seeking his arrest for alleged war crimes in Gaza, given Israel has not signed up to the court statutes. France's view, issued a day after the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah brokered by the U.S. and France, was condemned by rights groups. A statement by the French Foreign Ministry said it would continue to work closely with Netanyahu.

China and Russia continue to flex their military might around the globe with both nations threatening or engaging in conflicts in a bid to expand their influence

Nordic and Baltic states as well as Poland have said they would in the coming months step up support for Ukraine, including to the country's defence industry, and invest in making more ammunition available.

Israel plans to appeal the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister of war crimes.

Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador said on Wednesday any decision by President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration to cut support for Ukraine would be a "death sentence" for the Ukrainian army, while accusing Kyiv of trying to drag NATO countries into direct conflict with Russia in the meantime. Speaking to the U.N. Security Council, Dmitry Polyanskiy accused the outgoing Biden administration of trying through its increased support to Ukraine to create a "mess, both in Russia and with the new team in the White House."

French ministry reaffirms immunity for Israeli PM Netanyahu from ICC prosecution, citing obligations under international law.

Israel's prime minister and former defence minister strongly deny allegations of war crimes in Gaza.

Bundesnachrichtendienst chief warns of Russia's hybrid warfare and potential military confrontation with NATO, raising Article 5 concerns.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, his former defence minister, and Hamas military commander Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict.

Ukraine's energy minister has said the country's power infrastructure is under "under massive enemy attack" after a countrywide air raid alert was declared due to incoming missiles.