Crowds estimated at 1.4 million mourners participated in the funeral procession and memorial service held for late Hezbollah Secretary General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and his designated successor Hashem Safieddine in the Lebanese capital Beirut, on Sunday, February 23.
The two Lebanese resistance leaders were assassinated between late September and early October 2024, but the funeral was delayed for over four months due to Israel’s continued aggression on Lebanon.
The funeral had attendance from people across the Lebanese social and political spectrum and from around 80 countries who convened in Beirut to pay their last respects to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (Saffieddine’s funeral was held in south Lebanon on Monday February 24). The late leader of the Lebanese resistance group led his people from victory to victory, until liberating Lebanon from the Israeli occupation in 2000.
Read more: Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah: the man who defeated Israel
Nasrallah’s leadership continued to lead to victories in Hezbollah’s war against Israel in 2006. Furthermore, the steadfastness of Hezbollah during the Israeli aggression on Lebanon in 2024 was considered a victory despite its significant losses. For many, this victory surpassed that of 2006 as it forced Israel to sign a ceasefire agreement.
Israel’s attempts to terrorize Hezbollah supporters were met with defiance
Upon the arrival of the coffins of Nasrallah and Safieddine at Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, where the ceremony was held, Israeli warplanes flew at very low altitudes over the crowds.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed in a statement on Sunday that Israeli fighter jets buzzed over the funeral in the Lebanese capital.
“Israeli Air Force aircraft currently flying over Beirut, over the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, convey a clear message: Those who threaten to destroy Israel and attack Israel, it will be their end,” Katz said. “You will specialize in funerals, and we will in victories,” he added.
Although Israel tried to terrorize Hezbollah’s supporters by this blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, mourners responded by chanting ” (At your service, O’ Nasrallah,” “We remain committed to the pledge, O’ Nasrallah,” “Far from us is humiliation,” and “death to Israel”.
Nasrallah’s immortal resistance legacy
Nasrallah’s funeral is another testament that the assassination of resistance leaders consolidates the path of resisting occupation, and rather than deter, it inspires further generations to continue in this path.
Lebanese American journalist Rania Khalek wrote on X: “Few people in the world could garner this sort of crowd to mourn their death. Hassan Nasrallah was a fixture of the region. He inspired and gave hope to millions and he oversaw the actual liberation of Arab lands from colonial occupation, through successful military means.”
“He taught the world that armed resistance against imperialism in our lifetimes can work. That’s why he was dangerous. That’s why they killed him. They can never erase what he did and it doesn’t stop others from following that path,” she added.
The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) mourned the late Hezbollah leaders in a statement issued following the funeral.
“On this day of farewell to the two martyrs, commanders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, we pray for their pure souls and recall their firm stances in support of Palestine and their great martyrdom on the path to Al-Quds (Jerusalem),” Hamas stated.
The movement further emphasized: “the assassination of resistance leaders will never halt our path, and will only strengthen our determination to continue on the path of the martyrs until we uproot this occupation that threatens the region, and reclaim our land and holy sites.”
Hezbollah’s pledges to continue resisting the Israeli occupation
During the ceremony, Hezbollah’s Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem delivered a speech via a video screen installed at the stadium. Saluting the massive crowds of mourners, Qassem stated: “O’ most honorable people, you have upheld the covenant!”
The chief of Hezbollah hailed his late companion Nasrallah as “a historic, exceptional, patriotic, Arab, Islamic leader”, and “the model of the free people of the world.”
“Sayyed Nasrallah loved the people and they loved him. He led both hearts and minds, with his objective always being Palestine and Al-Quds,” the Lebanese leader said. Shaikh Qassem also emphasized Nasrallah’s “pivotal role in leading the resistance to the nation and uniting the nation with the resistance.”
Reaffirming that he will uphold Nasrallah’s covenant, Sheikh Qassem pledged that the resistance will endure despite all sacrifices. “You are an indomitable people. We will stand together and make our pledge together. We will remain true to the pledge, O’ Nasrallah,” the Hezbollah Secretary General stressed.
