Hezbollah is preparing for a large-scale funeral for its leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike. Expected to draw thousands, the event will take place at Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium and will involve extensive security measures. Notable attendance will include international delegations from 79 countries, emphasizing global implications of Hezbollah’s actions amid regional tensions.
Hezbollah is organizing a significant funeral for its slain leader, Hassan Nasrallah, expected to attract massive crowds this Sunday in Beirut. Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah from 1992 until his death in an Israeli strike on September 27, 2024, played a pivotal role in the group’s strategies amid ongoing tensions with Israel. The funeral marks a critical moment for Hezbollah after their influence diminished following a US-brokered ceasefire in November 2023.
The funeral will take place at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, which can accommodate 49,500 attendees. Preparations are intense, with images of Nasrallah and Hezbollah flags displayed prominently and facilities such as giant screens and sound systems installed. Organizers anticipate attendance could reach an additional 30,000 people, necessitating extensive logistics, including a medical team with over 1,400 nurses and 100 doctors to ensure attendee safety.
Hassan Nasrallah will be honored alongside his designated successor, Hashem Safieddine, also killed in the conflict. The funeral service will commence at 1 PM local time, featuring eulogies and a procession to burial sites: Nasrallah near Beirut and Safieddine in his hometown.
The event is expected to draw international attention, with delegations from 79 nations, including high-level officials from Iran, which supports Hezbollah. Concurrent memorials will also occur in various Shiite centers across Iran and Iraq, with thousands from these regions anticipated to attend the Beirut ceremony.
Security measures will be heightened across Beirut as authorities expect large crowds, including temporary airport closures during the funeral. The US and French embassies have issued advisories for their citizens to steer clear of sensitive areas during the event. Adjacent to the funeral site, deployments of security personnel will be extensive, reinforcing public safety protocols.
The funeral for Hassan Nasrallah, scheduled for Sunday, is a significant event for Hezbollah, marking both a memorial for its fallen leader and a display of the group’s continuing influence. With extensive international attendance and significant security measures in place, the ceremony encapsulates Hezbollah’s ongoing struggle and the global implications of its leadership dynamics. This event reflects broader regional tensions and the connectivity between local and international actors in the geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.al-monitor.com
