The Lebanese Hezbollah is set to hold a grand funeral on Sunday, nearly five months after the targeted killing of its former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, by an Israeli airstrike. The ceremony aims to demonstrate the group’s political strength, following its significant weakening after last year’s war.
Nasrallah was killed on September 27 in an Israeli airstrike while meeting with commanders in a bunker in the southern suburbs of Beirut. This was a devastating blow in the early stages of an Israeli offensive, which had reduced the Iran-backed group to a shadow of its former self.
Nasrallah, revered by Hezbollah’s followers, led the Shia-Muslim group through the decades-long conflict with Israel. Under his leadership, Hezbollah developed into a military force with regional influence and he became one of the most prominent Arab personalities in generations.
Israel killed thousands of Hezbollah fighters and caused extensive destruction in the southern suburbs of Beirut and other areas in Lebanon where Hezbollah supporters live, in September. The group’s weakened position was further exacerbated by the downfall of its ally, Bashar al-Assad, in Syria, which severed the supply route to Iran.
The weakened position of Hezbollah is reflected in the post-war politics of Lebanon: the group was unable to impose its will in the formation of a new government and the political statement of the new cabinet removed formulations legitimizing its arsenal.
However, Sheikh Sadeq al-Nabulsi, a Hezbollah-affiliated cleric, said that the group’s opponents in Lebanon and abroad believe it is defeated, but the funeral is a message that this is not the case. There will be a “battle that proves the existence of Hezbollah”.
The ceremony will take place at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, the largest sports arena in Lebanon, on the outskirts of the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs.
Nasrallah will be buried at a special site nearby. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi is expected to attend, according to an Iranian official. Several leaders of Iraqi Shia militias are also expected to attend.
According to a spokesperson for the Iraqi Transportation Ministry, Iraqi Airways has added additional flights to Beirut to meet the increased demand from Iraqi citizens who will be traveling to the funeral.