Beirut: The streets of Beirut were flooded with Hezbollah supporters on Sunday as the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the group’s former leader, turned into a powerful display of strength and defiance. Nearly five months after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike, Nasrallah was finally laid to rest in Lebanon’s capital, alongside his cousin and successor, Hashem Safieddine, who was also killed in Israeli strikes days later.

The funeral drew one of the largest crowds Lebanon has seen in decades, as mourners packed a stadium, chanting Hezbollah slogans and expressing unwavering loyalty to the Iran-backed group. Many waved Hezbollah’s yellow flags while others threw flowers and personal belongings toward the passing coffins, believing they would be blessed by touching them.

Among the dignitaries present were Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reflecting Tehran’s continued backing of Hezbollah. Lebanese political figures, including representatives of the president and prime minister, also attended.

Hezbollah defiant despite heavy losses

In a televised address, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem vowed that the group would continue its struggle, rejecting any attempts by the United States or Israel to weaken its influence in Lebanon.

"We do not accept for the tyrant America to control our country," Qassem declared, referring to the recent shift in Lebanese leadership that has brought pro-Western figures into power following Hezbollah’s decline in influence.

He also dismissed claims that Hezbollah was defeated in its war with Israel, insisting that the "resistance is still present and strong" despite the devastating losses of top commanders, military sites, and supply routes.

"You will not gain through politics what you failed to gain in war," he warned, addressing both Israel and Western powers.

Israel’s presence looms over the funeral

As Nasrallah’s coffin was carried through the stadium, Israeli jets flew at low altitude over Beirut, a move widely seen as a symbolic warning to Hezbollah. The sound of Israeli warplanes roared above as Hezbollah supporters chanted “Death to Israel” and “Death to America.”

Just hours before and during the funeral, the Israeli military launched fresh airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz later stated that the flyover was meant to send a “clear message” to Hezbollah and its allies:

"Whoever threatens to annihilate Israel and strike Israel—that will be his end."

A turning point for Hezbollah?

Nasrallah’s death has marked a critical moment for Hezbollah, which has faced repeated setbacks, including the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria—a longtime ally and crucial supply route for Iranian arms. The U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel, which restricts Hezbollah’s military presence near the border, has further weakened its position.

Despite these challenges, Hezbollah leaders continue to rally their base, insisting that the fight is far from over. As Hezbollah struggles to maintain its power amid a shifting geopolitical landscape, the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah was not just a farewell but a calculated show of force, signaling to its enemies that it remains a formidable player in the region.