US Fed Hikes Rates as Gaza Building Collapse Kills 21 and Houthis Meet US Officials (Sep 16, 1848 UTC, 2148 Israel) (Evening Edition)

• Sweden Expels Embassy Employee — Sweden expelled an Iranian embassy employee and summoned Iran's ambassador, citing security concerns over threats to Jewish and Israeli interests in the country. Stockholm said Iran-backed groups are plotting against such targets Reuters. The move was reported by multiple outlets, including Al Jazeera and Iran International Al Jazeera.
• Mahan Air Suspends Flights — Iran's Mahan Air suspended flights to Istanbul, Ankara, and Muscat until further notice, citing decisions by aviation authorities IranWire.
• Oil Restoration Claims — Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said reconstruction of oil facilities damaged during the war is progressing well, with part of lost capacity expected to return by late March IRNA.
• Official Rhetoric — Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Germany lacked "even the minimum moral courage" to condemn US-Israeli aggression against Iran IRNA. Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said the Iranian people prevented a repeat of foreign occupation during 200 days of conflict IRNA.

• Israeli Artillery Strikes — Israeli artillery targeted Haddatha and al-Mansouri in southern Lebanon, with Lebanon's National News Agency reporting shelling hit the town centre of al-Mansouri in the Tyre district Middle East Eye. Al-Manar reported Israeli artillery fire on Aita al-Jabal and a new bombing in Beit Yahoun Al-Manar TV.
• IDF Chief on Disarmament — IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Hezbollah cannot be disarmed within an agreement with Lebanon unless the Lebanese Army significantly improves its effectiveness on the ground. He stated the IDF is determined to demilitarize the area south of the Litani River Manniefabian.
• Lebanese Parliament Confidence Vote — Lebanon's parliament renewed confidence in the government with 68 votes in favor, 12 against, and 2 abstentions Bint Jbeil News.
• Lebanese PM on Tripartite Framework — Prime Minister Salam said the tripartite framework includes phased Israeli withdrawal and calls for Lebanese state sovereignty over its territory Bint Jbeil News.

• Building Collapse in Gaza City — A war-damaged residential building collapsed in Gaza City, killing at least 21 Palestinians, including eight children, according to Gaza's Civil Defense. Twenty people were pulled alive from the rubble, with dozens still trapped. Rescue operations have been hampered by lack of equipment amid Israeli restrictions Times of Israel Quds News Network BBC News. The building was in the Tal al-Hawa area, where 10 families had been living despite warnings it was unsafe BBC News.
• IDF Eliminates Hamas and PIJ Operatives — The IDF announced it eliminated three Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives in recent strikes. A strike in Gaza City killed Saeed Asaad Saeed Akrim, a commander in Hamas's Daraj-Tuffah Battalion, who was involved in planting explosives and advancing attacks on Israeli troops. Two separate strikes in northern Gaza killed Nimer Yasser Nimer Arshi, a rocket-launching Islamic Jihad operative, and Ahmad Baza'at Saleh Shaer, a Hamas member IDF Official Manniefabian.
• Nukhba Commander Killed — The IDF said a strike last Thursday in Khan Younis killed Jihad Samih Mahmoud Ismail, a Nukhba squad commander who infiltrated Israel on October 7 and took part in the abduction of Armored Corps soldiers from Tank No. 3 IDF Official Manniefabian.

• PIJ Member Captured in Burqin — Israeli commandos from the Duvdevan Unit raided Burqin near Jenin and apprehended Mohammed Saadi, described by the IDF as a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad member involved in managing and directing funds for terror activities Manniefabian.
• Israeli Forces Storm Beit Furik — Israeli occupation forces stormed the town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus, according to Quds News Network Quds News Network.
• B'Tselem Statement — B'Tselem Executive Director Yuli Novak called on the international community to move beyond statements and take action, warning that continued inaction gives Israel more time to deepen systematic violence, displacement, and political repression in the West Bank Quds News Network.

• US-Houthi Meeting in Oman — US officials met representatives of Yemen's Houthis in Oman over the weekend, according to five sources. The Houthis reportedly pledged not to target American or Israeli ships, while reserving the right to target Saudi vessels. The meeting came after the Houthis seized a strategic stretch of the Red Sea coast Times of Israel Reuters Ynetnews.
• UN Secretary-General on Security Council — UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent Security Council reform, saying geopolitical divides are hindering action on global crises Al Jazeera.
• UK Trade Unions Back BDS Motion — UK trade unions backed a motion to boycott and sanction Israel, demanding action to oppose the "catastrophic destruction of Gaza" and Israeli settler violence Al Jazeera.

Sweden Cites Threats to Jewish Targets — Sweden expelled an Iranian embassy employee, saying Iran-backed groups are plotting against Jewish and Israeli interests in the country. The move was reported by Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Iran International Reuters Al Jazeera Iran International.

• Sweden Expels Iran Embassy Employee — Sweden expelled an Iranian embassy employee and summoned Iran's ambassador, citing security concerns over threats to Jewish and Israeli interests Reuters.
• Kosovo War Crimes Verdict — Kosovo's former president Hashim Thaci was found guilty of war crimes at The Hague Al Jazeera.
• Belarus Prisoner Release — Belarus freed 25 political prisoners in return for US sanctions relief, with the Trump administration saying more releases would be secured soon Al Jazeera.

• US Federal Reserve Rate Hike — The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%, the first increase in three years. New projections show officials see the policy rate reaching 4.00% or higher. The decision comes ahead of critical midterm elections Reuters BBC News Al Jazeera.
• US VP Vance on Israel — US Vice President JD Vance said Washington should not subordinate its Middle East foreign policy to Israel, adding the US would work with countries when interests align and disagree when they do not. His remarks come as the Trump administration prepares a $2.8 billion arms package for Israel including 40,000 2,000-pound bombs Quds News Network.

• Pakistan Summons Indian Diplomat — Pakistan's Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian Chargé d'Affaires in Islamabad and lodged a protest over "Indian Navy provocation" Al-Manar TV.
• Nepal Floods Response — An opinion piece questioned why the response to Nepal's floods has been muted, blaming wealthy nations for not taking responsibility for the climate crisis Al Jazeera.

• Yemen Conflict Escalates — Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Saudi warplanes launched 40 airstrikes targeting Taiz, Marib, and Hajjah over the past 24 hours Al-Manar TV. The Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib and released footage of the wreckage Mehr News Al-Manar TV. Saree rejected Saudi accusations of threats to Mecca, saying Yemen is targeting oil facilities and military bases Arutz Sheva.
• Djibouti Refugee Influx — More than 2,500 Yemenis have arrived in Djibouti since last week, with Djibouti warning the number could rise to 10,000. Djibouti called for international assistance Al Jazeera.
• Yemen Coastguard Flees — Yemen's coastguard fled to Djibouti after the Houthi takeover of Mayyun, according to FDD FDD.
• South Africa Sanctions Dispute — South Africa slammed planned US sanctions over alleged racial discrimination, saying the Trump administration is falling for misinformation from "fringe groups" Al Jazeera.