BEIRUT — Early Sunday, a massive crowd gathered at a Beirut stadium for the funeral of the former Hezbollah leader, who lost his life in an Israeli airstrike nearly five months prior. Hassan Nasrallah was killed when an Israeli military operation dropped over 80 bombs on the militant group’s core operations center, marking a significant setback for Hezbollah, which had grown into a formidable force in the Middle East under his leadership.
Nasrallah had led the group for over three decades, playing a central role as one of its founders. He held considerable sway among various Iran-backed factions in the region and was highly regarded within the broader network of resistance, which included groups from Iraq, Yemen, and Palestine. Mourners, like Sahar al-Attar who traveled from the Bekaa Valley to pay their respects, expressed disbelief at the loss. “We would have come even under bullets,” she stated, reflecting on the passionate commitment to honor Nasrallah’s legacy.
The funeral attracted officials from around the region, including key figures from Iran’s government, such as parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Their appearance indicated a resumption of flights from Iran that had been suspended due to allegations of cash smuggling to Hezbollah via commercial flights. Local Lebanese dignitaries, including the parliament speaker, as well as representatives from both the president and prime minister’s offices, were also expected to be present. This funeral was anticipated to be Lebanon’s largest in twenty years.
A senior Hezbollah official, Ali Daamoush, revealed that approximately 800 guests from 65 different nations were anticipated to attend, along with numerous activists and followers. “Come from every home, village, and city so that we tell the enemy that this resistance will stay and is ready in the field,” Daamoush urged, alluding to ongoing tensions with Israel.
During the service, Nasrallah’s body will be interred in Beirut, while his cousin and successor, Hashem Safieddine, will be laid to rest in his southern Lebanon hometown. Both had been temporarily buried in undisclosed locations prior to the official funeral announcement from Hezbollah earlier this month.
In a bid to assert its strength and unity amidst recent challenges, Hezbollah had called upon supporters to attend the event in large numbers. The group has faced significant losses, notably during a prolonged conflict with Israel, which resulted in the deaths of many key figures within their ranks. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria, a crucial ally, further exacerbated Hezbollah’s complications, disrupting vital supply routes for arms and financial support.
As a part of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. on November 27, Hezbollah is restricted from maintaining an armed presence near the Israeli border. Furthermore, the group’s adversaries have been vocal in demanding that Hezbollah disarm and transition into a purely political entity.
In preparation for the event, Hezbollah transformed the stadium to accommodate tens of thousands, and large screens were set up outside to provide a viewing area for those unable to enter. Heightened security measures were established, including road closures in the vicinity and increased readiness from Lebanese police and military forces. The army also imposed a ban on drone usage around Beirut during the day, and air traffic at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport was to be suspended for several hours starting at noon.
Just hours before the funeral, the Israeli military conducted strikes on targets in southern Lebanon, stating that they had targeted military sites housing rocket launchers and weaponry. The title for the funeral reflects the atmosphere of resolve and commitment resonating throughout the event: “We are committed to the covenant.”
