Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over 30 years, was killed on September 27, 2024, when Israel’s air force targeted Hezbollah’s main operations room. His death marked a significant blow to the Iran-backed group that he had transformed into a formidable force in the Middle East.
The stadium, with a capacity of around 50,000, was filled to the brim, with organizers installing additional seating on the pitch and outside. Mourners, dressed in black, braved the cold weather to attend the ceremony, which had been delayed for months due to security concerns.
Security measures were tight, with major roads closed and the Lebanese army and police forces on high alert. The army also banned the use of drones in Beirut and its suburbs during the day, while flights to and from Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport were halted for four hours starting at noon.
The funeral procession began at 1:00 pm local time, with plans to move to a burial site near the airport highway. Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s chosen successor who was also killed in an Israeli airstrike before he could assume leadership, will be buried in his southern hometown of Deir Qanun al-Nahr on Monday.
High-profile attendees included Iranian Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Hezbollah official Ali Daamoush stated that about 800 personalities from 65 countries would be present, along with thousands of activists from around the world.
The atmosphere was somber yet charged with emotion as supporters waved Hezbollah flags and carried portraits of Nasrallah. Many expressed their grief and admiration for the late leader, with one mourner, Umm Mahdi, telling AFP, “This is the least we can do for Sayyed who gave up everything.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi described Nasrallah and Safieddine as “two heroes of the resistance” and vowed that “the path of resistance will continue.” This sentiment echoed throughout the crowd, highlighting Nasrallah’s enduring influence on Hezbollah and its supporters.
As Lebanon and the region grapple with the implications of Nasrallah’s death, the massive turnout at his funeral underscores the deep impact he had on his followers and the complex political landscape of the Middle East. The event not only serves as a farewell to a controversial figure but also as a statement of Hezbollah’s continued presence and influence in Lebanon and beyond.
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