Mourners attend former Hezbollah leader Nasrallah’s funeral in Lebanon

In a stadium in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, tens of thousands of people gathered to attend the funeral of a former Hezbollah leader. This followed his death nearly five months prior in an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital. This large turnout underscores the significant influence and following the leader commanded.

Hassan Nasrallah was the leader of Hezbollah for over 30 years and one of the organization's founders. He died last September when the Israeli Air Force dropped more than 80 bombs on the organization's main operations room. The scale of the attack highlights the intense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Mourners dressed in black, some waving Hezbollah flags or carrying portraits of Nasrallah, flocked to the collective funeral, which had been delayed due to security concerns. Numerous men, women, and children from Lebanon and other regions braved the cold to walk to the ceremony site. Their dedication reflects the deep respect and loyalty towards the deceased leader.

In southern Beirut, giant portraits of Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine (Nasrallah's chosen successor, who died in another Israeli airstrike before taking office) were plastered on walls and bridges. The two had previously been temporarily buried in secret locations. These displays of reverence underscore the organization's commitment to honoring its leaders.

Hezbollah senior official Ali Damoush told reporters that in addition to thousands of individuals and activists from around the world, about 800 prominent figures from 65 countries would attend the funeral. Nasrallah will be buried in Beirut later on Sunday, while Safieddine will be buried in his hometown in southern Lebanon. The wide international attendance signifies the global interest and implications of the event.

Hezbollah set up giant screens along the airport road and outside the stadium for those unable to enter the venue to watch the funeral. Tight security measures included closing major roads in the funeral area and suspending flights to and from Beirut Airport for four hours. The Lebanese army and police were on alert and banned the use of drones in Beirut and its suburbs that day. These precautions demonstrate the high level of security concerns surrounding the event.

Hours before the funeral began, the Israeli military launched a series of attacks in southern Lebanon. This timing suggests a deliberate attempt to disrupt or intimidate those participating in the funeral proceedings.