Hassan Nasrallah, the longstanding leader of Hizbollah who was killed in an Israeli air strike five months prior, was buried on Sunday after a ceremony in Beirut. This event was attended by a large gathering of supporters. Attendees holding pictures of Nasrallah and carrying the yellow flags of Hizbollah filled the 55,000-seat Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, with many more gathered in the streets outside. The funeral was organized as a demonstration of strength for the group, which has faced significant challenges in its conflict with Israel.
During the procession, many mourners expressed sorrow as the coffins of both Nasrallah and his successor, Hashem Safieddine—who led the group for only a week before also being assassinated—were carried through the stadium. Some attendees tossed flowers, while others threw small objects onto the coffins in hopes of receiving blessings.
Nasrallah, aged 64, was killed along with other high-ranking Hizbollah figures on September 27, when Israel’s air force targeted one of the group’s command posts in the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh. As the ceremony continued, a formation of Israeli F15 and F35 jets flew low over the city, causing alarm and anger among the gathered crowd. The stadium erupted with shouts of defiance, and the funeral host stated that the sound of jets would not intimidate anyone, leading the audience in chants of allegiance to Nasrallah and condemnation of Israel.
Nasrallah’s death marked a significant blow to Hizbollah, coinciding with Israel’s intensified campaign against the group, which has weakened its leadership and reduced its arsenal. The incident emphasized the extent of Israel’s intelligence penetration into a group renowned for its internal discipline. The recent conflict began after Hizbollah launched rockets towards Israel on October 8, 2023, in solidarity with Gaza, following a deadly attack by Hamas.
The conflict has resulted in at least 4,000 deaths in Lebanon, many suspected to be Hizbollah fighters, as Israeli missiles targeted areas supportive of the group. During Nasrallah’s 32-year leadership, he transformed the organization into a key element of Iran’s regional network known as the axis of resistance. Until his death, he was revered for his defense of Palestinians and opposition to Israel.
Many supporters still grappled with the loss. Ali, a 21-year-old supporter, expressed disbelief and a sense of insecurity following Nasrallah’s death, equating the loss to losing a father figure. Hadi, an Iraqi writer, traveled from Baghdad to attend, reflecting the broader significance Nasrallah held as a martyr for Islam.
Key figures and allies of Hizbollah, including Lebanon’s parliament speaker Nabih Berri and Iranian officials, were present at the ceremony. However, neither Lebanon’s president nor its prime minister attended.
Despite a ceasefire agreement mandating a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, Israeli troops remain in positions within southern Lebanon, and air strikes targeting Hizbollah continue. The group’s challenges are exacerbated by the ousting of its ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which disrupted vital supply routes. Furthermore, Hizbollah’s diminished role is highlighted by its exclusion from Lebanon’s postwar political agenda, as the government’s manifesto no longer supports the group’s military arsenal.
During the ceremony, Hizbollah’s leader Naim Qassem delivered a speech from an undisclosed location, affirming the group’s resilience and refusal to accept occupation. However, the crowd began to dissipate as his address continued.
