In a solemn and emotional gathering, tens of thousands of mourners gathered at a stadium in Beirut for the delayed funeral of Hezbollah’s former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air attack last September. Mourners dressed in black and carrying portraits of Nasrallah walked on foot in freezing temperatures to attend the ceremony, where giant portraits of Nasrallah and his chosen successor, Hashem Safieddine, were displayed. Despite security concerns, around 800 personalities from 65 countries were expected to attend the funeral, alongside thousands of individuals and activists from around the world.
Nasrallah and Safieddine, who were temporarily buried in secret locations, will be laid to rest in Beirut and southern Lebanon respectively. Hezbollah took precautions to accommodate the large crowds, setting up giant screens for those unable to enter the stadium and implementing tight security measures, including road closures and a temporary halt in flights to and from Beirut airport.
The funeral proceedings were marred by a series of Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, underscoring the ongoing tensions in the region. The Lebanese army and police remained on high alert, while the use of drones in Beirut and its suburbs was prohibited during the day. Despite the challenges and security risks, the funeral was a poignant tribute to Nasrallah and Safieddine, highlighting the enduring legacy of Hezbollah’s former leader and the group’s ongoing struggle for recognition and justice.
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