Hundreds of Thousands Attend Funeral of Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut

Hundreds of thousands gathered in Beirut for the funeral of Hezbollah's former leader, Hassan Nasrallah. He was killed in an Israeli airstrike nearly five months ago. The attack targeted Hezbollah's main operations room in a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital. This dealt a significant blow to the Iran-backed group, which Nasrallah had led for over 30 years.

Nasrallah was a founding member of Hezbollah and played a crucial role in its development into a formidable force in the Middle East. His influence extended across the "axis of resistance," which included factions from Iraq, Yemen, and Palestine. Despite his popularity, Hezbollah's image suffered after it supported former President Bashar Assad in Syria's civil war.

Massive Turnout at Funeral

The funeral drew a massive crowd, with estimates ranging from 450,000 to 1.4 million attendees. A Lebanese official, speaking anonymously, estimated the crowd size at 450,000. However, Al-Mayadeen, a pro-Hezbollah TV channel, reported a figure of 1.4 million. Ali Fayyad, a lawmaker with Hezbollah's political wing, stated that the turnout demonstrated the group's enduring popularity.

Nasrallah shared his funeral with his cousin and successor, Hashem Safieddine. Safieddine was also killed in an Israeli airstrike shortly after Nasrallah's death. Nasrallah was laid to rest in Beirut following the procession, while Safieddine will be buried in his hometown in southern Lebanon.

International Attendance

Senior Hezbollah official Ali Daamoush mentioned that around 800 prominent figures from 65 countries attended the funeral. Iranian parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were among those present. Representatives from Lebanon's government also attended.

The event attracted participants from outside Lebanon, including some from Western countries. Irish activist Tara O'Grady waved her country's flag and expressed solidarity with Lebanon against Israel. She compared Nasrallah to Irish revolutionary Michael Collins.

Hezbollah's Defiance

During the funeral, Israeli fighter jets flew over Beirut as Nasrallah's coffin entered the stadium. The crowd chanted anti-Israel slogans. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the jets sent a clear message to those threatening Israel.

Hezbollah remains defiant despite setbacks. The US-brokered ceasefire ending the war with Israel prohibits Hezbollah from having an armed presence along the border. The fall of Assad's regime in Syria further weakened Hezbollah by disrupting its supply routes from Iran.

Naim Kassem, Hezbollah's current Secretary-General, addressed mourners via video at the funeral. He asserted that "the resistance is still present and strong in numbers and weapons." Kassem emphasized that Israel must withdraw from strategic border points it occupies in southern Lebanon.

The funeral highlighted Hezbollah's resilience despite recent challenges. The group's supporters remain committed to its cause amid ongoing regional tensions.