Sun Feb 23 13:25:23 UTC 2025: ## Massive Funeral Held for Slain Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah Amidst Israeli Strikes
**Beirut, Lebanon** – Tens of thousands, possibly over a million, mourners gathered at Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium in Beirut on Sunday to pay their respects to Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah, and his designated successor, Hashem Safieddine, both killed in Israeli airstrikes in September 2024. The funeral, delayed for security reasons, was marked by an outpouring of grief and a powerful display of Hezbollah’s enduring support.
The stadium, normally holding 50,000, was overflowing with mourners from Lebanon and across the globe, many waving Hezbollah flags and carrying portraits of the deceased leaders. Social media was flooded with videos showcasing the immense crowd. The event included high-profile attendees such as Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader for over three decades, was killed along with Safieddine in an Israeli attack on a Hezbollah operations center. His death, along with that of Safieddine, dealt a significant blow to the Iran-backed group, which he had transformed into a major regional force.
Despite the bitter cold, mourners traveled from across Lebanon and beyond, clogging roads leading to Beirut. Security was tight, with major roads closed, a drone ban in effect, and a temporary halt to flights at Beirut’s airport.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, speaking at the funeral, lauded Nasrallah and Safieddine as “heroes of the resistance” and vowed that the “path of resistance” would continue. Mourners expressed profound grief, with many stating they would have traveled even under dangerous conditions to pay their final respects.
Hezbollah officials reported an estimated 800 dignitaries from 65 countries attending, in addition to thousands of supporters. The event served as a powerful demonstration of the group’s continued strength and resolve, even as it faces calls to disarm and transition to a purely political role following a 14-month war with Israel that ended with a US-brokered ceasefire in November 2024.
The funeral was preceded by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting what the Israeli military described as a site containing rocket launchers and weapons. This further heightened tensions in the already volatile region. Following the funeral ceremony, Nasrallah was buried near the airport highway, while Safieddine will be interred in his hometown on Monday.
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