Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spoke by phone with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Qatar's Prime Minister on Monday to discuss a de-confliction mechanism for Lebanon. The Lebanese presidency confirmed the call focused on strengthening the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Qatar and Pakistan, which mediated the first round of talks between the U.S. and Iran in Switzerland on Sunday, said the parties had agreed to establish a 'de-confliction center' to 'ensure the cessation of military activities in Lebanon.' However, the two countries did not provide further details.
In subsequent remarks, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the mechanism aims to prevent incidents from escalating 'into a larger conflict.' He stressed: 'We believe a deal can be reached that protects Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty while ensuring Israel's security. This requires coordination with the Lebanese armed forces and demands that Iran rein in Hezbollah.'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on social media after the talks in Switzerland: 'The first real test: the Lebanon de-confliction center.'
Lebanon has emerged as a flashpoint in U.S. and Iranian efforts to secure a lasting peace deal. Lebanon and Israel began their first direct negotiations since 1993 in April, with a fifth round scheduled for Tuesday in Washington.
Tehran has long insisted that any peace deal with the U.S. must end the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel continues its strikes into Lebanon, and Hezbollah maintains its armed operations.
Washington has increasingly criticized Israel. Last week, Vice President Vance warned Israeli leaders 'cannot use force to solve national security problems' and demanded an end to 'attacks' on the U.S. Yet Israel continued its strikes on Lebanon through Saturday, killing dozens. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to occupy southern Lebanon 'as long as necessary.'
Late Monday, in an effort to appease hardline critics within his government, Netanyahu stressed that the Israeli military would act with 'complete freedom' to address any threat in southern Lebanon and would maintain troops in the area as long as needed.
Still, U.S. pressure appears to be taking effect. The fragile ceasefire in Lebanon seemed to hold over Sunday and Monday. A spokesman said Sunday was the first day since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah reignited on March 2 that UNIFIL peacekeepers detected no airstrikes from either side.
Al Jazeera correspondent Heidi Pett, reporting from Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, described a 'cautious calm' but noted it came after 'bloody and brutal days for this city and the surrounding towns and villages.'
According to data from the United Nations and a Lebanese research center, direct damage to buildings in southern Lebanon is estimated at about $1.38 billion since the Israel-Hezbollah conflict began in March. The report said more than 11,000 buildings have been completely destroyed. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that Israeli attacks have killed at least 4,175 people and wounded 12,164.
