BEIRUT, Lebanon.Feb 23 – Hundreds of thousands of mourners filled the streets of Beirut and gathered in a packed stadium on Sunday for the funeral of former Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. One of the most prominent Arab leaders of his generation, Nasrallah was killed on September 27 when an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential compound in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh. The strike, which dropped more than eighty tons of munitions, also killed an unknown number of civilians.
The massive turnout was a powerful display of support for Hezbollah, which has suffered heavy losses in Israel’s war on Lebanon. Nasrallah, who led the group for over three decades, was killed alongside many top commanders and fighters. Also honored at the ceremony was his cousin and designated successor, Hashem Safieddine, who died in an Israeli airstrike days later.
A Display of Mourning and Strength
Mourners traveled from Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, making their way to Beirut by car, on foot, and even on horseback. Large billboards featuring images of a smiling Nasrallah next to Safieddine, with slogans like “We are not defeated,” lined Lebanon’s coastal highway.
Authorities implemented strict security measures for the funeral, temporarily shutting down Beirut’s airport and closing major roads. Large screens were set up outside the stadium to accommodate the overflow crowd, while delegations from Iran, Yemen, Iraq, and other regional allies mingled among the attendees.
Nasrallah and Safieddine had been temporarily buried in secret graves following their deaths nearly five months ago. At the time, Hezbollah was unable to hold a public funeral due to the ongoing war. The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, which took effect on November 26, allowed for the long-delayed funeral to proceed, although Israeli forces continued to violate the truce with airstrikes in southern Lebanon.
Chants of Defiance Amid Tensions
During the ceremony, Hezbollah’s new Secretary General, Naim Qassem, delivered a televised speech, vowing that “Nasrallah’s path will be completed even if our homes are destroyed over our heads and we are all killed.” He insisted that “the resistance remains strong in numbers and capabilities,” and warned Israel that “the inevitable victory is coming.”
Israeli fighter jets flew low over the stadium during the ceremony, triggering loud chants of “Death to Israel! Death to the United States!” from the crowd. Shortly after, Nasrallah’s coffin, draped in Hezbollah’s yellow flag, was brought into the stadium alongside Safieddine’s. The coffins were carried on a converted semi-truck hearse, making a slow loop around the track as mourners wept, chanted, and threw flowers.
“To us, he was not just the secretary general of Hezbollah—he was our father,” said Fatima, a mourner from southern Lebanon. “He defended not just Lebanon, but Palestine, Iraq, and Yemen. He stood with all the oppressed.”
A Controversial Legacy
Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Hezbollah evolved from a militia into one of the most powerful political and military forces in the Arab world. A charismatic speaker, he was widely recognized as a champion of the Palestinian cause and a key figure in the Axis of Resistance—a coalition of state and non-state actors opposing Israel.
Hezbollah’s influence soared after the 2006 war with Israel, which was seen as a victory for the group. However, Nasrallah’s intervention in the Syrian civil war in support of President Bashar al-Assad divided his supporters, with many questioning Hezbollah’s role in the conflict. Domestically, Hezbollah faced further criticism for its suppression of anti-government protests in Lebanon in 2019, when demonstrators demanded an end to sectarianism and corruption.
Following Israel’s offensive in Gaza on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah launched attacks along the Israeli-Lebanese border in what it called a “front of support” for Hamas. Israel responded with heavy bombardment of Lebanon, escalating into a full-scale war in September. The conflict resulted in over 4,000 deaths, the displacement of 1.2 million people, and significant destruction in southern Lebanon.
Political Ramifications and International Reactions
Nasrallah’s assassination sent shockwaves through Lebanon and the broader region. Hezbollah’s opponents, both domestically and internationally, see his death as an opportunity to weaken the group’s influence. The Trump administration had previously pushed for Hezbollah’s exclusion from the Lebanese government, and during a recent visit to Lebanon, U.S. Deputy Middle East Envoy Morgan Ortagus praised Israel for “defeating Hezbollah.” She stated that “red lines have been set by the United States to prevent Hezbollah from terrorizing the Lebanese people, including through political participation.”
Despite these pressures, Sunday’s funeral was not only a moment of mourning but also a statement of Hezbollah’s enduring strength. Many in the crowd expressed unwavering loyalty to the group and its late leader.
“He was our father,” said Dalia, another mourner. “Whenever he spoke, we felt comforted. He was our morphine.”
