Thousands Gather for Enigmatic Mass Funeral
The delayed funeral for Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, drew a massive crowd on Sunday, almost five months after his death in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The event aimed to showcase strength for the militant and political group as it has suffered significant losses from Israeli attacks.
Israeli strikes hit various locations in southern and eastern Lebanon during the funeral, targeting Hezbollah weapon stockpiles. Israeli fighter jets flew low over the funeral site following Nasrallah’s coffin unveiling, seen as a direct message to the group. The Israeli military released footage claiming to show Nasrallah’s assassination.
Tens of thousands of mourners flocked to Beirut’s largest stadium and surrounding streets, following the procession of Nasrallah’s hearse to a shrine in southern Beirut. Hezbollah’s secretary-general addressed the crowd, vowing to carry on Nasrallah’s legacy, even at the cost of their lives.
The ceremony also honored Nasrallah’s successor, Hashem Safieddine, who was killed by an Israeli strike shortly after assuming leadership. Nasrallah was buried in a private ceremony after his death, emphasizing Hezbollah’s weakened state post-Israeli military actions last year.
Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah through significant conflicts and interventions in multiple countries, passed away, marking the end of an era for the militant group. From guerrilla fighters in 1982 to a regional force, Hezbollah experienced highs and lows under Nasrallah’s leadership.
The funeral at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium was a solemn affair, reflecting on Nasrallah’s impact on Hezbollah and the region.
Residents of the south were also displaced in Israeli attacks as part of a tit-for-tat that spanned nearly a year before it spiraled into an all-out war last September. Nasrallah referred to it as a “supportive front” with the aim to pressure Israel into halting its retaliatory offensive in Gaza, which has devastated significant portions of the besieged territory and claimed the lives of over 48,000 people. In mid-September, Israel set off explosives planted in thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies carried by Hezbollah members and carried out the assassination of several key leaders of the group, revealing the extent of Israel’s deep infiltration within the armed organization. As a result of these actions, Hezbollah has been severely weakened, raising doubts about its future as a militant group. Israel has made clear its intention to persist in targeting the group’s positions until they disarm, and has maintained a presence at five strategic locations inside Lebanon’s southernmost region, in violation of the November ceasefire agreement. Despite enjoying widespread support among Shia Muslims throughout the region, Hezbollah is recognized as a terrorist organization in the United States and numerous other Western nations. Domestically, the group is facing mounting pressure to relinquish its weapons, culminating in newly elected President Joseph Aoun’s inaugural address in January, where he called for the monopoly of arms under the state’s authority. Hezbollah has consistently resisted calls to disarm, asserting that their weapons are necessary to prevent Israel from reoccupying the country. Critics argue that the group’s militant stance undermines the viability of a functioning Lebanese state. This account has been updated with additional details. For further CNN news and newsletters, please register an account at CNN.com.
