BEIRUT — The Lebanese Hezbollah organization has announced that the funeral for its long-serving leader, Hassan Nasrallah, will take place on February 23. This announcement follows his assassination during a series of Israeli airstrikes in a southern suburb of Beirut several months ago.
In a pre-recorded address, Secretary-General Naim Kassem revealed the details concerning Nasrallah, whose death came shortly after the extension of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that had temporarily halted hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, now set to last until February 18.
Nasrallah lost his life on September 27 when multiple Israeli airstrikes targeted several buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut, including the operations room where he was located at the time, as confirmed by a top security aide.
Israeli military forces continue to maintain their presence in various regions of southern Lebanon. According to the ceasefire terms, these troops are expected to gradually withdraw while Hezbollah fighters move north of the Litani River, coinciding with deployments by Lebanese army troops in those areas. Communities in those neighborhoods have been voicing their opposition to the Israeli presence, with many residents displaying Hezbollah flags during protests, which have occasionally escalated into confrontations with Israeli soldiers, a development that Kassem lauded.
“The South declares unequivocally that Israel has no right to remain here, that it cannot remain as an occupying force. Let everyone be aware that the sacrifices made, regardless of their magnitude, will ultimately lead to the liberation of our land and the departure of Israel,” Kassem stated.
On the same day, Israeli forces resorted to firing live ammunition to disperse demonstrations in the southern towns of Yaroun and Kfar Kila, although the Lebanese Ministry of Health did not report any injuries or fatalities from these incidents.
Previously, violence had erupted when 24 protesters were reported killed by Israeli gunfire, an incident confirmed by the health ministry.
In spite of suffering significant military losses during the ongoing conflict, Israeli officials assert that a longer military presence is necessary to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, including its expansive network of tunnels.
The forthcoming funeral will also pay tribute to Hashem Safieddine, a prominent Hezbollah figure and Nasrallah’s potential successor, who also lost his life during the recent violence.
Nasrallah had been at the helm of Hezbollah since 1992, transforming the organization from a local militant group into a formidable regional force that commands significant political influence within the Lebanese government.
