UNGA diplomacy: Lavrov-Rubio meeting, Milei's rebuke, and Danon's Gaza condition

Russian and US foreign ministers meet while Argentina's president attacks the UN and Israel ties Gaza reconstruction to Hamas disarmament.

UNGA diplomacy: Lavrov-Rubio meeting, Milei's rebuke, and Danon's Gaza condition — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.[^1] The meeting, focused on Ukraine and bilateral relations, came as the two countries remain at odds over the war. No joint statement was released, and the substance of the discussion was not detailed by either side. Argentine President Javier Milei delivered a scathing rebuke at the UN General Assembly, criticizing UN policies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which he defined as "a global experiment in social control disguised as science." Milei's speech marked a continuation of his confrontational stance toward international institutions, positioning Argentina outside the diplomatic consensus. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon stated on September 24 that any reconstruction of Gaza is conditional on Hamas disarming.[^2] The statement, reported by Arutz Sheva, sets a clear precondition for international aid and reconstruction efforts in the Strip, which has been devastated by the war. The demand aligns with Israel's long-standing position that Hamas cannot remain a military force in Gaza. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said American sanctions have severely restricted Iranian international flights, emphasizing the unprecedented pressure being applied to Iran, saying the US is "squeezing the Iranians like they've never seen."[^3] The comments underscore the Biden administration's continued reliance on economic pressure as a primary tool for addressing Iran's nuclear program and regional activities. IDF shifts West Bank posture, uncovers deep tunnel near Kfar Saba — Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir made an unusual decision to activate Division 98, the Commando Division, in the Judea and Samaria area, signaling a tactical shift in how the IDF approaches the West Bank theater.[^1] The move comes as security forces also launched a focused operation named 'Times of Joy,' aimed at hitting the pockets of weapons dealers and smugglers.[^2] These actions suggest a recognition that the threat landscape in the territory has evolved beyond wh