New Lebanon ceasefire mechanism excludes Israel and brings in Qatar, Iran and Pakistan

A new “de-escalation” mechanism for Lebanon was announced overnight by Qatar and Pakistan, replacing the ceasefire-monitoring arrangement set up in 2024 that Israel says failed to do its job. The new body is expected to oversee the ceasefire in Lebanon and, unlike the previous framework, Israel will not participate directly.

According to the joint statement posted by Qatar and Pakistan on X, the new mechanism will include five parties, the United States, Iran, Pakistan, Qatar and Lebanon. That is a major change from the earlier format, which included Israel, Lebanon, France, the United States and UNIFIL. Israeli officials view the new lineup as significantly less favorable to Israel.

Iran welcomed the move. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the “tireless mediation” of Pakistan and Qatar had produced “significant progress toward ending the war in Lebanon,” and called the “first real test” of talks between Tehran and Washington the “de-escalation cell in Lebanon.” Lebanese broadcaster LBC reported that President Joseph Aoun expressed support for the mechanism after speaking with Qatari and US officials. The report also said Qatar would mediate between Beirut, Tehran and Washington, while the United States would coordinate with Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded in a video message that Israel’s rules of engagement had not changed. “The instructions from me and the defense minister to the IDF are clear and have not changed,” he said, adding that troops in southern Lebanon have “full freedom of action” to prevent any “direct or emerging threat” and that “there is no restriction” on the IDF. He said Israel would remain in the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon “as long as necessary” to protect northern residents and all Israeli citizens.

The previous mechanism, created under the November 2024 ceasefire, was meant to include France, Lebanon, Israel, the United States and UNIFIL, with the Lebanese army, backed by UN peacekeepers, handling Hezbollah’s armament and ceasefire violations. Israel said Lebanon’s army did not enforce the deal adequately, while Hezbollah denounced the framework as hostile cooperation between Lebanon and Israel. The arrangement ultimately collapsed after Hezbollah joined the confrontation between Israel and the United States on one side and Iran on the other in March.