Fri Feb 21 10:29:29 UTC 2025: ## Lebanon to Halt for Funeral of Slain Hezbollah Leader

**Beirut, Lebanon** – Lebanon will come to a standstill on Sunday for the state funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah, killed nearly five months ago in an Israeli airstrike. Tens of thousands are expected to attend the ceremony at the Camille Chamoun sports stadium on the outskirts of Beirut, beginning at 1 p.m. local time (11:00 GMT). Nasrallah will then be interred at a nearby site.

The funeral, also honoring Hashem Safieddine, who briefly succeeded Nasrallah before also being killed, is anticipated to be a massive display of Hezbollah’s strength and influence. Beirut’s airport will be closed from midday to 4 p.m. (14:00 GMT) to accommodate the expected influx of mourners from across Lebanon and abroad. Hezbollah has implemented strict security measures to manage the large crowds.

Nasrallah, revered by Hezbollah supporters, led the group for decades, transforming it into a powerful regional force. His death in a September 27th airstrike has sent shockwaves throughout the region. The funeral is seen by some analysts, such as Mohanad Hage Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center, as a symbolic demonstration of Hezbollah’s continued power and resilience in the wake of last year’s devastating war with Israel.

High-profile attendees are expected, including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and several leaders of Iraqi Shia militias. Iraqi Airways has even added flights to Beirut to meet the increased demand. The scale of the funeral underscores the significant impact of Nasrallah’s death and the ongoing tensions in the region.

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