Massive Crowds Mourn Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut Funeral
Beirut — Tens of thousands of mourners gathered on the outskirts of Beirut on Sunday to pay their final respects to Hezbollah’s slain leader, Hassan Nasrallah, nearly five months after his death in an Israeli airstrike. The strike, a significant blow to the Iran-backed group, marked a key moment in Israel’s military escalation against Hezbollah.
Supporters, carrying images of Nasrallah and waving Hezbollah flags, assembled early for the mass funeral at Camille Chamoun Sports City stadium in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut. The 55,000-seat venue was nearly full hours before the ceremony commenced.
Dignitaries from across the region, including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, an Iraqi delegation of Shiite politicians and militia commanders, and representatives from Yemen’s Houthis, were expected to attend.
The Israeli-Hezbollah conflict resulted in the deaths of much of its leadership and thousands of fighters while causing widespread destruction in southern Lebanon.
Adding to Hezbollah’s challenges, the removal of its Syrian ally, Bashar al-Assad, further disrupted a crucial supply route.
“We may have lost a great leader, but the resistance remains strong,” said Hassan Nasreddine, a mourner traveling from southern Lebanon.
The ceremony also honored Hashem Safieddine, who briefly led Hezbollah following Nasrallah’s death before being killed in another Israeli strike. Nasrallah was initially buried beside his son, Hadi, who was killed fighting for Hezbollah in 1997. His official funeral was delayed until Israeli forces began withdrawing from southern Lebanon under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
Despite the partial withdrawal, Israel maintains control over several strategic hilltops in the region and conducted new airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday, citing Hezbollah activity.
The latest escalation stems from Hezbollah’s decision to engage in cross-border attacks in support of Hamas at the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.
