Large Gathering Anticipated for Hezbollah Leader’s Funeral
Beirut is preparing for a significant turnout this Sunday as mourners gather to pay their respects to Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah, who was recently killed in a major Israeli airstrike. Tens of thousands of supporters from Lebanon and beyond are expected to attend the funeral, which had to be postponed for security reasons following Nasrallah’s death.
Hassan Nasrallah had led Hezbollah for over 30 years, making his loss deeply felt among supporters and impacting the organization’s morale. The group is keen to show its strength after facing criticism and challenges during the recent conflict with Israel.
Ahead of the funeral, large banners of Nasrallah and his successor, Hashem Safieddine—who was also killed shortly after—have been displayed throughout southern Beirut. A notable portrait has been placed on a stage set up at Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, the designated venue for the funeral. Although the stadium holds around 50,000 people, organizers have added extra seating and outdoor screens for those unable to enter.
Since Saturday, there has been heavy traffic into Beirut as Hezbollah supporters travel from their strongholds in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
Security Measures in Place
Nicholas Blanford, an expert from the Atlantic Council, highlighted the importance for Hezbollah to demonstrate its ongoing popularity despite recent setbacks. The funeral is set to begin at 1:00 PM local time, featuring a speech from current leader Naim Qassem, followed by a procession to the burial site near the airport highway. Nasrallah will be laid to rest there, while Safieddine will be buried in his hometown the following day.
To ensure safety and manage the crowds, Hezbollah has mobilized 25,000 volunteers and an additional 4,000 personnel to oversee the event. Security forces, numbering around 4,000, will also be deployed in the area. Top Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, have been invited to attend, along with representatives from Iran and Iraq’s pro-Iran factions.
In preparation, Beirut airport will temporarily close from midday until 4:00 PM, and the U.S. embassy has advised citizens to steer clear of the area. While regular flights from Iran have been stopped, an exception has been made for an official delegation arriving before dawn.
A Somber Day of Remembrance
Hezbollah has instructed mourners not to fire weapons in the air, a practice often seen at funerals in Lebanon. The Lebanese army has also implemented a ban on drones in the capital during this time.
Hassan Nasrallah was a founding member of Hezbollah and gained recognition in the Arab world for his leadership during the 2000 withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Over the years, opinions about Hezbollah have divided sharply within the country, particularly regarding its military engagement with Israel amidst support for the Palestinian Hamas group.
In areas with a Shia majority, however, the group continues to have strong backing. At the funeral, 80-year-old Mariam Shorba expressed her sorrow, saying, "This is a difficult day because Nasrallah is very dear to us. We cannot do him justice, no matter what we do."
