The funeral for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is scheduled for February 23, according to the group. This follows his death in an Israeli airstrike several months ago.
Following the Israeli airstrikes which killed Nasrallah on September 27, Naim Qassem, his successor, addressed the significance of this upcoming event. He stated, "The south says there is no possibility for Israel to remain... sacrifices, no matter how great, will lead to liberation." This comment not only recalls Hezbollah's contentious history with Israel but also highlights the spirit of defiance within the ranks of the militant group.
Qassem elaborated on the group’s plans for the funeral, intending to draw significant public attendance for both Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, another high-ranking official killed shortly after Nasrallah. Safieddine was chosen to succeed Nasrallah but was assassinated before the official announcement could be made.
"After security conditions prevented holding a funeral... we have now decided to hold a grand public funeral on February 23," Qassem emphasized during his televised speech. The planned grave locations have also been confirmed; Nasrallah will be buried on the outskirts of Beirut between the old and new airport roads, whereas Safieddine will be laid to rest in his hometown of Deir Qanoun.
Hezbollah's history is marked by Nasrallah's leadership since 1992, through which the organization evolved from local militancy to regional power. His assassination has left Hezbollah reeling, especially after also losing several top military commanders.
The Lebanese health ministry's figures indicate serious casualties during recent protests against Israeli occupation, which have underscored tensions leading up to the funeral. Protests escalated sharply after the last remaining Israeli troops failed to withdraw from southern Lebanon as stipulated by the ceasefire agreement reached at the end of November.
Qassem's remarks came during heightened hostilities leading to the February 18 deadline for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, following several months of conflict. He reiterated the Lebanese state’s responsibility to pressure against continued Israeli aggression. "The Lebanese state is fully responsible for following up, pressuring, and trying to prevent as much as it can, through sponsors and international pressure, this violation and this Israeli aggression," he urged.
Echoing Qassem's sentiments, residents of southern Lebanon, many waving Hezbollah flags, have protested against the Israeli military's presence. These acts of defiance reflect the local community's resilience and solidarity against perceived occupation, harking back to their support for Nasrallah’s leadership.
At the core of Hezbollah's narrative is the portrayal of the organization as liberators of Lebanese territory. Qassem spoke passionately about this sentiment, expressing the group’s commitment to territorial integrity and sovereignty amid the struggle against Israeli forces.
Preparations for the funeral are expected to draw large crowds, and Hezbollah hopes the event will demonstrate their strength and unity. "We hope it will be a grand funeral procession befitting this great personality," Qassem stated.
The funeral of Nasrallah, entwined with the narrative of resistance against occupation, is expected to resonate deeply within Lebanon and beyond. It is not only the commemoration of a leader but also the reassertion of Hezbollah's role within the broader geopolitical turmoil of the region.
Overall, the planned burial serves as more than just a traditional ceremony; it embodies the very essence of the struggle against Israeli presence and the militant group LGBTQ’s broader political aspirations.