A sea of mourners dressed in black filled the streets of Beirut on Sunday to pay their last respects to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Many waved Hezbollah flags and carried his portraits as they attended his funeral at a stadium on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital.
Nasrallah’s death in an Israeli airstrike has deeply impacted Hezbollah, a group that has played a significant role in both Lebanon’s political and military spheres. The funeral, delayed for security reasons, drew thousands from across the country, braving the biting cold to be present.
A Community in Mourning
Among the mourners was Umm Mahdi, a 55-year-old attendee who expressed her sorrow, saying, “I came to see him one last time and visit his shrine. This is the least we can do for someone who sacrificed everything.” Many in Lebanon’s Shiite Muslim community have long supported Hezbollah, which provides social and economic services alongside its political and military operations.
Security Concerns Amidst the Ceremony
As the crowds gathered, tensions escalated with Israeli airstrikes reported in southern Lebanon, targeting what Israel described as rocket launchers posing an imminent threat. The strikes underscored the ongoing hostilities between the two sides, despite a ceasefire agreement in place since November 27.
Inside the packed Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, where the funeral was held, massive portraits of Hassan Nasrallah and his chosen successor, Hashem Safieddine—who was also killed in an Israeli airstrike—were displayed. The stadium, with a seating capacity of 50,000, was expanded with additional seats to accommodate tens of thousands more attendees.
High-Profile Attendees and Calls for Resistance
Hezbollah invited top Lebanese officials to the funeral, with Iranian dignitaries, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in attendance. During a speech, Araghchi called Nasrallah and Safieddine “heroes of the resistance” and vowed that their mission would continue.
Since Saturday, roads leading into Beirut were congested as Hezbollah supporters traveled from the group’s strongholds in south Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Mourners, overcome with emotion, described the funeral as a historic moment. “Even if we had to crawl to get here, we would still come,” said Khouloud Hamieh, a 36-year-old attendee from eastern Lebanon.
Security Measures and Burial Plans
Hezbollah deployed 25,000 members for crowd control, while Lebanese security forces stationed 4,000 personnel to maintain order. Additional flights from Baghdad to Beirut were arranged for foreign dignitaries attending the funeral. To prevent celebratory gunfire, a common but dangerous practice in Lebanon, authorities temporarily suspended gun licenses from February 22 to 25.
Nasrallah was laid to rest near Beirut’s airport highway, while Safieddine’s burial was scheduled for Monday in his hometown of Deir Qanun al-Nahr.
Hezbollah’s Legacy and Controversies
Hassan Nasrallah, a founding member of Hezbollah in 1982, gained prominence in the Arab world for leading resistance against Israel, particularly in 2000 when Israeli forces withdrew from south Lebanon. However, Hezbollah remains a divisive force within Lebanon, with critics accusing the group of escalating conflicts, particularly in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The ongoing conflict with Israel has led to significant casualties in Lebanon, with over 4,000 deaths reported, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The United Nations estimates reconstruction costs following the war could exceed $10 billion, further straining Lebanon’s already fragile economy.
