|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Beirut, Lebanon – Tens of thousands of black-clad mourners gathered in Beirut on Sunday to bid farewell to slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in a massive funeral procession that underscored the group’s resilience even after suffering major setbacks in its recent conflict with Israel.
The funeral, held at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, was marked by defiant chants of support for the Iran-backed organization, as Israeli fighter jets flew low over the Lebanese capital in a symbolic show of force.
A Procession of Grief and Defiance
The somber event saw women wailing and men raising their fists in tribute as a truck carrying the coffins of Nasrallah and his chosen successor, Hashem Safieddine, made its way through the dense crowd.
Draped in Hezbollah’s yellow flag and adorned with black turbans, the coffins were the focal point of an emotionally charged gathering.
Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over three decades, was killed in a massive Israeli airstrike on September 27, dealing a significant blow to the militant group.
Safieddine, his cousin and intended successor, was eliminated in a separate Israeli strike before his official appointment was publicly announced.
The funeral had been postponed for months due to security concerns and the delay in Israeli withdrawal from most of south Lebanon under the terms of a US-backed ceasefire.
On Sunday, Nasrallah was temporarily laid to rest next to his son, Hadi, who died fighting for Hezbollah in 1997. Safieddine is set to be buried in southern Lebanon on Monday.
Israeli Fighter Jets Send a Warning
As the funeral commenced, Israeli warplanes conducted low-altitude flyovers of Beirut. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the maneuver was a “clear message” to Hezbollah and its backers.
“Israeli Air Force aircraft currently flying over Beirut, over the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, convey a clear message: Whoever threatens to destroy Israel and attack Israel – it will be their end,” Katz declared. “You will specialize in funerals, and we will specialize in victories.”
In addition to the aerial display, Israel conducted multiple airstrikes in Lebanon on Sunday, targeting what it claimed were Hezbollah weapon sites, including rocket launchers threatening Israeli civilians.
Hezbollah’s War with Israel and Its Aftermath
Hezbollah had launched attacks on northern Israel on October 8, 2023, a day after Hamas’s deadly assault on southern Israel.
This led to a protracted period of hostilities that escalated into two months of full-scale war before a ceasefire was implemented in late November 2024. The conflict left Hezbollah’s leadership decimated and severely weakened the group’s offensive capabilities.
While the ceasefire has largely held, the Israeli military remains in control of five strategic positions inside Lebanese territory.
Israeli officials insist their presence is necessary to deter future Hezbollah aggression, while the Lebanese government has been tasked with securing a full withdrawal through diplomatic channels.
New Hezbollah Leader Vows to Continue Resistance
In a televised address broadcast from an undisclosed location, newly appointed Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem reaffirmed the group’s commitment to resisting Israel. “The resistance is not over. The resistance is still present and ready,” he told mourners.
“We will uphold trust and walk on this path, we will uphold your will,” Qassem declared, vowing to continue Nasrallah’s legacy.
He condemned American influence in Lebanon and accused Washington of attempting to pressure Lebanese officials into abandoning Hezbollah’s cause.
“Know this, Americans: if you try to pressure officials and Lebanon, you will not achieve your goals,” he warned.
Despite Hezbollah’s insistence on maintaining its military presence, analysts believe the group’s standing has been significantly weakened.
Sam Heller, an expert at the Century Foundation, noted that the funeral served as a crucial moment for Hezbollah to reaffirm its political and social influence amid recent losses.
“It’s important for the group to demonstrate that it remains a major force despite the setbacks,” he said.
Massive Turnout for Nasrallah’s Funeral
Crowd estimates for the funeral varied widely. Organizers claimed the stadium, with an expanded capacity of 78,000, was at full occupancy, while Lebanese security officials estimated a total of 450,000 people gathered in and around the venue.
Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television reported that 25,000 stewards were deployed for crowd control, alongside 4,000 security personnel.
Many supporters traveled from Hezbollah strongholds in south Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley, braving freezing temperatures to pay their final respects. Among them was Umm Mahdi, 55, who walked several miles to the site.
“This is the least we can do for Sayyed, who gave up everything,” she said, using an honorific for Nasrallah.
Iran and Regional Allies Mourn Hezbollah’s Loss
The funeral drew high-ranking Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with representatives from Iraq’s pro-Iran factions and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, however, was absent, sending parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri in his place. Ahead of the ceremony, Aoun met with the Iranian delegation, telling them Lebanon was “tired of the war of others” and had “paid a heavy price for the Palestinian cause.”
Iranian officials reiterated their support for Hezbollah, with Ghalibaf stating that Iran was willing to assist Lebanon’s post-war reconstruction.
Israel Releases New Footage of Nasrallah’s Killing
Coinciding with the funeral, Israel’s military released never-before-seen footage of the September 27 airstrike that eliminated Nasrallah and over 20 top Hezbollah commanders.
According to the IDF, Israeli fighter jets dropped 82 heavy bombs on Hezbollah’s underground headquarters in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, flattening several buildings in the process.
The footage, widely circulated on social media, was intended to reinforce Israel’s message that it remains committed to neutralizing Hezbollah’s leadership and military capabilities.
What Lies Ahead for Hezbollah?
With Nasrallah gone and Hezbollah’s military strength significantly diminished, the group faces an uncertain future.
While Qassem has vowed to continue Nasrallah’s hardline policies, internal divisions and external pressures could force Hezbollah to reconsider its strategic direction.
For Israel, the prospect of a weakened Hezbollah may reduce the likelihood of immediate large-scale confrontations, but officials remain wary of potential escalations in the future.
The IDF has maintained a state of readiness along the northern border, prepared to respond to any provocations.
As Lebanon grapples with its post-war reality, the question remains whether Hezbollah will maintain its grip on the country’s political and security landscape—or whether Nasrallah’s death marks the beginning of the group’s decline.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members