Hezbollah to Hold Mass Funeral for Slain Leader Hassan Nasrallah

On Sunday, Hezbollah will bury its former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, nearly five months after his death in an Israeli airstrike. The funeral, set to take place in Beirut's southern suburbs, is expected to be a display of Hezbollah's continued political and military strength, despite the significant losses the group has faced in recent months.

Nasrallah, who was eliminated on September 27, 2024, led Hezbollah through decades of conflict with Israel, transforming the Shiite group into a formidable military force. His death, early in Israel's offensive, struck a significant blow to the group.

The funeral is not only a moment of remembrance but also a message of resilience from Hezbollah, signaling that the group still holds sway as Lebanon's dominant Shiite actor. Following Nasrallah's death, Hezbollah's temporary leader, Hashem Safieddine, was also killed by an Israeli strike, underscoring the group's vulnerabilities to Israeli intelligence.

The funeral is set to take place at Lebanon’s largest sports venue, the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, in Hezbollah's stronghold. Leaders from Iran, Iraq, and Yemen are expected to attend, alongside a large number of supporters, emphasizing Hezbollah’s regional connections and influence.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a precise strike on Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon on Sunday. According to the military, the attack targeted a site housing rocket launchers, weapons, and active Hezbollah operations that posed a direct threat to Israel’s security.

In a statement, the IDF emphasized that Hezbollah's activities violated agreements between Israel and Lebanon and the strike was part of Israel's broader strategy to neutralize Hezbollah's military infrastructure.

In the days leading up to the funeral, Israeli drones were reportedly seen flying over Beirut, underscoring the heightened military presence and ongoing surveillance in the region.