Thousands Mourn in Lebanon’s Largest Mass Funeral Post-War

Aitaroun, Lebanon — Thousands of mourners gathered in Aitaroun, a village in southern Lebanon, on Friday to bury nearly 100 Lebanese who lost their lives in last year’s war between Israel and Hezbollah. This solemn event marked the largest mass funeral since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire three months ago.

The reburial was held to return the remains of 95 individuals to their hometown after being temporarily buried elsewhere. Families, friends, and supporters lined the streets, throwing flowers and spraying rose water on the trucks carrying the coffins.

The Tragic Toll of War

Among the reburied were 51 Hezbollah fighters, five children, 16 women, and 10 civil defense rescuers. The war left Aitaroun devastated, with many homes and orchards destroyed.

Fatima Hejazi, mourning her younger brother Ali, expressed both heartbreak and pride. “It is a big loss, but they died as part of the resistance,” she said.

Lebanese PM Calls for Israeli Withdrawal

On the same day, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam toured border areas affected by the war. Speaking in Tyre, he vowed to ensure the safe return of displaced residents and called for a complete Israeli withdrawal.

Although Salam did not attend the funeral, his visit underscored the ongoing political tensions. His government recently won a vote of confidence, with a statement emphasizing that only Lebanon’s national army should handle defense matters—a move seen as a challenge to Hezbollah’s military presence.

Defiance Amid Grief

The mass funeral was a deeply emotional yet defiant event. Posters of the deceased were raised, and former Hezbollah-allied minister Ibrahim Bairam told mourners that the group remains resilient despite its losses.

The ceremony was attended by delegations from Iran, Iraq, and Yemen, highlighting the broader geopolitical significance of the conflict.

Ongoing Displacement and Investigations

The war, which began in October 2023 following Hamas-led attacks on Israel, escalated into a full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Over 4,000 people were killed in Lebanon, with more than 1 million displaced. Many, including 100,000 civilians, have yet to return home.

Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities have charged 26 individuals over a February attack on UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL), with five suspects in detention. Charges include terrorism and undermining state authority.