Hezbollah holds funeral of ex-leader Nasrallah months after Israel assassination

Tens of thousands of mourners attended the funeral of Hezbollah’s long-time chief Hassan Nasrallah and his heir, Hashem Safieddine, almost five months after they were killed by Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

The assassination of the two leaders in Beirut in September was a devastating blow to Iran’s most powerful militant group, and marked a pivotal moment in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

A few days after their deaths, Israel escalated its military operations in Lebanon with a ground incursion on its northern neighbour.

On September 27, the 64-year-old Nasrallah – who Israel had made clear was a target for assassination and for years avoided making public appearances – met with other Hezbollah leaders in a bunker almost 20 metres underground.

Israeli jets dropped around 80 bombs on the site. The headquarters and several nearby buildings were destroyed. Around 30 people were killed overall.

Hezbollah’s current chief, Naim Qasem, called on supporters to attend the funeral at the national football stadium in Beirut as a demonstration of the group’s strength.