Massive Crowds Gather for Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah’s Funeral in Beirut

Hundreds of thousands of mourners flooded the streets of Beirut on Sunday to attend the funeral of Hezbollah’s former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, nearly five months after his death in an Israeli airstrike. The massive turnout demonstrated the group’s enduring influence despite recent setbacks.

Dignitaries from over 65 countries, including Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, attended the funeral. Other notable figures included Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker and representatives of the country’s Prime Minister and President.

Lebanese authorities estimated the crowd size at approximately 450,000, while the pro-Hezbollah network Al-Mayadeen reported a staggering 1.4 million attendees. The mourners, many waving Hezbollah flags and chanting slogans, gathered at a stadium and surrounding streets in a powerful display of solidarity.
During the funeral, Israeli warplanes flew at low altitude over Beirut, prompting chants of “Death to Israel” from the crowd. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement, warning that the flyovers served as a clear message: “Whoever threatens Israel will face the same fate.”
Hassan Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over 30 years, played a pivotal role in shaping the Iran-backed group’s strategy. Under his leadership, Hezbollah engaged in multiple conflicts with Israel, most notably the 2006 war, which significantly bolstered his status among supporters across the Middle East.

Nasrallah’s successor, Naim Kassem, addressed supporters via a televised speech, affirming Hezbollah’s continued strength. “The resistance remains powerful in both numbers and weaponry. The final victory is inevitable,” he declared.