The IDF confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that one its unmanned drones had struck close to a group of terrorists in the southern Gaza Strip who were about to launch incendiary balloons into Israel.

No casualties were reported.

Palestinian Mamduh Yusuf Muhammad Amru has been convicted of manslaughter and knife possession at the Judea military court on Wednesday.

On February 24, 2016, the terrorist made his way to a bus stop used for hitchhikers at the Gush Etzion Junction armed with a knife, and carried out a stabbing attack.

IDF soldiers shouted at him to stop, but he continued towards the group, which included Maj. (Res.) Eliav Gelman.

Gelman, who saw what was happening, opened fire on the terrorist with his person weapon, but he was shot and killed during the exchange of fire.

Following the verdict, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted: “I think, just like the military prosecution and the president of the military court, that a terrorist who runs with a knife in order to murder soldiers and civilians should be convicted of murder, plain and simple.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will “most probably”  fly to Brazil to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Jair Bolsonaro on January 1, sources in the Prime Minister’s Office said on Wednesday. Bolsonaro was elected this week as the next president of Brazil, winning 55.1% of the vote.

Netanyahu spoke with Bolsonaro on the phone Monday and congratulated him on winning the election.

During his campaign,  Bolsonaro announced that he would transfer the Brazilian embassy to Jerusalem and expel the Palestinian embassy from the country. He also said he would visit Israel immediately after he took office.

Incendiary balloons sent from Gaza into southern Israel have caused two large fires near Kissufim in southern Israel.

Firefighting services are on scene to deal with the blazes.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke by telephone Monday evening with Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro and congratulated him on his election. “I am certain that your election will lead to a great friendship between our peoples and the tightening of links between Brazil and Israel. We await your visit to Israel,” Netanyahu said.