Jerusalem Post/Middle EastThe mediators did not explain how the mechanism would operate or resolve the current hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.Follow us on GooglePAKISTAN'S PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani stand prior to a quadrilateral meeting between the US, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 21, 2026.(photo credit: FABRICE COFFRINI/POOL VIA REUTERS)ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, KELLY HARTOG/JTA, TOVAH LAZAROFF/JTAJUNE 22, 2026 19:46A joint statement released by the mediating countries, Qatar and Pakistan, announced the creation of a Lebanon deconfliction mechanism on Monday.According to the mediators, this entails a direct US-Iranian track to terminate military operations in Lebanon and appears to include the Lebanese government but not Israel.It also appears to exclude France and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which had previously been involved in peacekeeping in Lebanon.The mediators did not explain how that would operate or resolve the current hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, lauded the new mechanism, calling it "major progress to end Lebanon War," and saying that the first real test was the "Lebanon deconfliction cell."Israel pushes back on Lebanon deconfliction mechanismAddressing the Jerusalem News Syndicate (JNS) Conference in Jerusalem on Monday, President Isaac Herzog said any negotiations to end the Israel-Lebanon conflict should be done by the two countries themselves and not by "Iranian extortion.” “Tying Iran to Lebanon not only leaves Israel exposed to constant threat; it leaves the Lebanese weak and powerless, and will prevent their president and government from moving forward,” said Herzog.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the IDF retains freedom of action to act against threats in Lebanon."My directive and that of the Minister of Defense to the IDF is clear and has not changed," said Netanyahu. "Our fighters in southern Lebanon have full freedom of action to thwart any direct or emerging threat to them or to the residents of the North."The IDF has no restrictions in this regard," he added. "I stand behind them; the entire nation stands behind them."Shir Perets contributed to this report.Follow us on Google