Beirut witnessed an enormous gathering on Sunday as hundreds of thousands filled a stadium and the surrounding streets to honor the late Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed nearly five months earlier in an Israeli airstrike. His death resulted from a series of more than 80 bombs dropped by Israeli forces on a key operational facility for Hezbollah located in a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital. This attack marked a significant setback for the Iran-backed Hezbollah, known for its robust political and military presence in the region, which Nasrallah had nurtured for over three decades.
As one of the founders of Hezbollah, Nasrallah played a pivotal role in shaping the organization into a formidable power within the “axis of resistance,” which includes other factions from Iraq, Yemen, and Palestine. He rose to prominence during the 2006 conflict with Israel, where Hezbollah emerged from a month of intense warfare seemingly unscathed, earning him widespread adulation across the Arab world. However, the group’s involvement in the Syrian civil war, supporting then-President Bashar Assad, caused a decline in its perceived image.
Hezbollah’s leadership encouraged its followers to attend Nasrallah’s funeral in vast numbers, aiming to convey that the organization remains influential despite recent losses during a brutal 14-month conflict with Israel that resulted in the deaths of numerous senior officials within its ranks. A Lebanese official, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that the attendance was estimated at approximately 450,000. Ali Fayyad, a member of Hezbollah’s political faction, remarked that such a substantial turnout underscores the party’s ongoing popularity and dismisses claims of its decline.
Sahar al-Attar, one attendee who traveled from Bekaa Valley, expressed her unwavering commitment to Nasrallah, stating they would have come “even under bullets” to pay their respects. At the funeral, Nasrallah’s body was accompanied by that of his cousin and prospective successor, Hashem Safieddine, who was also a victim of an Israeli airstrike shortly thereafter. As the procession moved forward, mourners tossed flowers and clothing into the air, hoping to touch the coffins in a gesture of reverence.
Outside the stadium, large screens displayed the message “We are committed to the covenant” for those arriving from the airport. Furthermore, prominent attendees from 65 different nations were anticipated, with about 800 distinguished figures present at the event, including high-ranking officials from Iran and representatives from Lebanon’s government.
The participation of international voices was notable, including that of Irish activist Tara O’Grady, who advocated for solidarity with Lebanon’s struggle against perceived Israeli aggression, drawing a parallel between Nasrallah and famed Irish revolutionary Michael Collins. As O’Grady spoke, four Israeli warplanes flew over the gathering, prompting chants from attendees of “Death to Israel” and “At your service, Nasrallah.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz responded to the military display, asserting that the aerial maneuvers served as a warning to those who threaten Israel. Meanwhile, concurrent airstrikes were carried out by Israeli forces in southern and eastern Lebanon. On the same day, the Israeli military released footage purporting to show the strike that killed Nasrallah.
Despite a ceasefire mediated by the U.S. that barred Hezbollah from maintaining an armed presence along the border with Israel, the organization has faced significant challenges, including supply chain disruptions after the collapse of the Assad family’s regime in Syria, which had facilitated the flow of resources from Iran. Critics of Hezbollah have called for it to disarm and transition into a conventional political party.
During the ceremony, Naim Kassem, the current Secretary-General of Hezbollah, delivered a message asserting the group’s resilience in terms of both manpower and weaponry, promising that victory is on the horizon. Kassem urged Israel to retreat from the regions it occupies in southern Lebanon, emphasizing the group’s stance against foreign influence, particularly from the U.S. He concluded with a resolute declaration that Israel cannot achieve through diplomacy what it failed to accomplish in war.
