IDF Kills Hamas Commander Who Held Seven Hostages; Pezeshkian Tells UN Iran 'Will Not Bend the Knee' (Sep 24, 0946 UTC, 1246 Israel) (Evening Edition)

• UNGA Address — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the UN General Assembly that Iran will never 'bend the knee' to US threats but remains open to diplomacy BBC News. Responding to President Trump's threat to 'annihilate' the Islamic Republic, Pezeshkian said 'the resistance of the Iranian people will only increase' in the face of pressure Al Jazeera. He said war had been 'imposed' on Iran and that Tehran does not fear war to defend itself Al-Manar TV. Pezeshkian also told European Council President Antonio Costa that Iran saw 'inaction rather than neutrality' from some countries during the recent war and called on European states to maintain greater independence IRNA.
• US-Iran Talks — Iran and the United States ended Wednesday divided over how to end their war despite renewed UN talks, as Tehran rejected US pressure and Washington maintained its blockade of Iranian ports Iran International. Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei said the US has been given a five-day deadline to meet Tehran's conditions for opening the Strait of Hormuz Al Jazeera. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said US forces were helping move between 10 million and 17 million barrels of oil a day through the Strait of Hormuz despite attacks on tankers Iran International.
• IRGC Commander Killed — IRGC Brig.-Gen. Hossein Zarifi, commander of the Shahid Sajjad Operational Headquarters, was killed during clashes with gunmen in southeastern Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province Jerusalem Post. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency confirmed the death, citing the IRGC Ground Forces' Quds Base Al Arabiya English. Heavy clashes and gunfire were reported in the Dab area of Saravan, with security forces surrounding Razi Hospital Iran International.

• Israeli Strikes Continue — Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of Shaqra toward Wadi al-Salouqi in southern Lebanon Bint Jbeil News. An airstrike targeted the outskirts of Tallouseh without the missile exploding, followed by a second strike on the same site Bint Jbeil News. Israeli raids also hit areas on the outskirts of Al-Qantara, Houla, and Al-Mansouri as Israel expands what it calls its 'security zone' Al-Manar TV.
• Lebanese PM Calls for Aid — Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged international support amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in the south, speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Middle East Eye.

• Hamas Commander Killed — The IDF announced that Mahmoud Abd al-Fattah Awad, a commander in Hamas' military wing in Gaza City, was killed in a strike over the weekend IDF Official. The military said Awad held hostages Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Doron Steinbrecher, Naama Levy, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, and Eitan Mor in an underground tunnel in Gaza City Times of Israel. Recently, Awad planned and advanced terror attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians and operated to restore Hamas capabilities 'in systematic violation of the ceasefire' IDF Official.
• Hamas Finance Chief Killed — The IDF and ISA confirmed they eliminated Muhammad Abu Alwan, Head of Hamas' Finance Department, in a strike in the Khan Younis area on Wednesday IDF Official. Abu Alwan directed the transfer of more than 1 billion NIS to fund Hamas' terrorist activities IDF Official.

Detentions — Israeli occupation forces detained more than 100 young men in Qalqilya and Azzun, according to Al-Manar TV Al-Manar TV. Israeli forces also detained a Palestinian near Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem Quds News Network.

• UN General Assembly — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to spend only about seven hours in the US to deliver his UNGA address, with security officials urging him to minimize his stay amid concrete warnings Arutz Sheva. Netanyahu's schedule leaves little space for diplomatic meetings, and a meeting with President Trump was not included due to the tight schedule and return before the holiday News 0404 IL. Yedioth Ahronoth reported Netanyahu wanted to meet Trump but Trump refused Bint Jbeil News.
• EU-Iran Talks — European Council President Antonio Costa said he urged Iran to halt strikes on neighboring countries and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz during talks with Pezeshkian Iran International.
• Russia-Arab Meetings — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a series of meetings with Arab officials on the sidelines of UNGA, including Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam, with a focus on the situation in Lebanon Al-Manar TV.

Brooklyn Incident — A man armed with a knife chased a yeshiva student in Brooklyn and was arrested, according to Israeli media News 0404 IL.

Czech Jets Scramble — Czech fighter jets were scrambled overnight for air patrols over Poland following Russia's aerial attack on Ukraine N12 Chat.

• Argentina's Milei at UN — Argentine President Javier Milei criticized the UN as 'useless' and accused it of sheltering dictatorships and voting against Israel Behold Israel.
• US Judge Blocks White House Ban — A US judge blocked the White House ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico journalists, ruling the outlets are likely to succeed in their due process claim Al Jazeera.

• Yemen — Yemeni government forces said they repelled Houthi attacks in Taiz, killing dozens of Houthi fighters during battles for strategic highlands Al Jazeera. Government forces pushed back Houthi groups that infiltrated the Hajeh al-Abd road in the Hayfan area of Taiz province Iran International.
• Turkey-Israel Tensions — Israeli Defense Minister Katz told Turkish President Erdogan to 'stop messing with Israel,' calling him a 'paper sultan' News 0404 IL. Turkish media reported Israel pressured the UAE to block an S-400 deal with Ankara News 0404 IL.