Massive crowds gather for Hezbollah leader Nasrallah’s funeral in Lebanon

Hezbollah in Lebanon will hold a mass funeral for its former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, on Sunday, nearly five months after his death in an Israeli airstrike. The event is seen as an effort to demonstrate political strength following the group's significant weakening in last year's war.

The conflict escalated after Hezbollah fired in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas at the outset of the Gaza war on October 8, 2023.

Nasrallah was killed on September 27, 2024 in an Israeli airstrike while meeting with commanders in a bunker in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

His death marked a devastating setback in the early stages of an Israeli offensive, leaving the Iran-backed group significantly diminished.

Nasrallah, highly respected by Hezbollah supporters, led the Shi'ite Muslim group through decades of conflict with Israel. Under his leadership, Hezbollah evolved into a powerful military force with significant regional influence, cementing Nasrallah's status as one of the most prominent Arab figures in recent generations.

The funeral in Beirut's southern suburbs will also pay tribute to Hashem Safieddine, who briefly led Hezbollah for a week after Nasrallah's death before being killed by Israel. His death highlights the extent to which Israeli intelligence had infiltrated the paramilitary group. Safieddine will be laid to rest in the south on Monday.

Israel killed thousands of Hezbollah fighters and caused extensive damage in Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas of Lebanon where the group's supporters reside. The group's challenges were further worsened by the removal of its ally, Bashar al-Assad, in Syria, cutting off the crucial supply route from Iran.

Sheikh Sadeq al-Nabulsi, a cleric with strong ties to Hezbollah, stated that both domestic and foreign adversaries believed the group had been defeated. However, the funeral would serve as a message that this was not true, marking a "battle to affirm Hezbollah's existence."

The ceremony will take place at Lebanon's largest sports venue, the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, located on the outskirts of the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs.

Supporters remember Nasrallah for his defiance against Israel and the United States. Following his death, Nasrallah was temporarily laid to rest beside his son, Hadi, who was killed while fighting for Hezbollah in 1997.