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Qatar and Pakistan Announce New Deconfliction Cell in Lebanon with Iran Involvement

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Qatar and Pakistan Announce New 'Deconfliction Cell' in Lebanon

Key Developments

Qatar and Pakistan announced the establishment of a new "deconfliction cell" in Lebanon on Monday, though the mechanism's specific role and structure remain unclear.

Iran is directly involved in the new cell, alongside Lebanon.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun was briefed on the new cell, having spoken with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Jared Kushner, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed al-Thani. Israel is not a direct participant according to public statements.

Background: A Failed Ceiling

A similar mechanism already operated in Lebanon with participation from the United States, the Lebanese government, and Israel. However, the ceasefire monitoring mechanism established in November 2024 failed to supervise the ceasefire after fighting resumed in March 2025.

That earlier mechanism, headed by an American general, included the U.S., Lebanon, Israel, France, and UNIFIL. It held 16 meetings; the last was on February 25, 2025. Planned meetings for March, April, and May were canceled with the start of Operation Roaring Lion.

The mechanism relayed locations to the Lebanese army for inspection of alleged Hezbollah weapons or military facilities. Hezbollah-affiliated figures accused the mechanism of cooperating with Israel.

Statements from Key Actors

Tasnim news agency, affiliated with Iran, stated that Iran is now "part of the security story in Lebanon" and that a "dispute resolution unit will be established with the participation of Iran, the United States, and Lebanon to monitor the implementation of the first clause" of the memorandum of understanding in Lebanon.

Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc said in May 2025 that the ceasefire monitoring committee had "failed to fulfill its role, which worsened the suffering of the Lebanese people."

Reported Incidents

  • Lebanese media reported that the committee did not allow civil defense members to reach Deir Mimas to extinguish a fire caused by strikes.
  • On June 6, 2025, two Lebanese army officers and a soldier were killed in an Israeli strike; a Hezbollah-affiliated channel claimed their entry had been coordinated with the mechanism. The IDF said it was investigating.
  • Last week, the ceasefire monitoring mechanism approved electrical work near Kfar Houna under Lebanese army escort.