Hezbollah is set to hold a funeral for Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as regional tensions escalate. The event comes amid rising hostilities, with concerns over potential repercussions in Lebanon and beyond.
Beirut, Lebanon – Hezbollah will hold a funeral for its long-time leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, on February 23, following his assassination by Israel in a targeted strike. His death marks a turning point in the group's struggle against Israel, raising questions about Hezbollah’s future direction.
Airport Closure and Funeral Arrangements
The Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport will suspend operations from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday to accommodate the funeral procession. Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem has called for widespread participation as a show of strength.
The funeral will take place at Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, near the airport, with Nasrallah’s burial set for a plot of land between the old and new airport roads. Hezbollah supporters and invited guests from 79 countries are expected to fill the stadium and surrounding streets.
Security Warnings and Flight Cancellations
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut issued a security advisory, warning American citizens to avoid the funeral and airport areas due to potential instability.
“U.S. citizens should exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings. Monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities,” the embassy stated.
Meanwhile, airlines including Emirates and Air France have announced the cancellation of all flights to Lebanon on February 23, citing security concerns.
Regional Support and Political Implications
Hezbollah’s supporters, particularly from Shia communities in Lebanon and Iraq, have begun arriving in Beirut to pay their respects. Many view Nasrallah as a defender against Israeli occupation and American influence in the region.
Hezbollah has extended invitations to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Their attendance could strain relations with Washington, which has long backed Aoun—particularly during his tenure as Lebanese Army Commander—in efforts to counter Hezbollah’s influence.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, has also been invited and is expected to attend.
Hezbollah’s Next Steps and Israeli Response
Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Hezbollah positioned itself as a key player in the Israel-Gaza conflict, actively supporting Hamas and engaging in cross-border attacks against Israeli targets. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered intensified airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in recent months before greenlighting the assassination of Nasrallah on September 27 in Beirut’s Dahieh district.
With Nasrallah gone, Hezbollah’s current leadership faces the challenge of maintaining internal cohesion while deciding whether to escalate tensions or adopt a more strategic approach.
Wafiq Safa, head of Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Unit, stated in an interview with the pro-Hezbollah Al-Mayadeen media outlet that the organisation would emerge stronger than before the war.
Safa, who has himself been a target of Israeli assassination attempts, emotionally remarked, “We are human and are attached to our leaders.”
Meanwhile, Israeli analysts remain divided on whether Nasrallah’s assassination will weaken Hezbollah or push it toward further confrontation. Some experts argue that Hezbollah's military structure is resilient enough to continue operations without its long-time leader. Others suggest that Nasrallah’s assassination could embolden more radical elements within the group, increasing the likelihood of escalation.
With Hezbollah preparing for a major transition in leadership, its next moves—whether further escalation or strategic restraint—will shape the future of the conflict with Israel.
A drone strike hit a power station in northern Sudan early Sunday (1 November), sparking a fire and triggering loud explosions, witnesses said....
Saudi Aramco's acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in artificial intelligence (AI) company HUMAIN is putting a spotlight on a wider investment q...
Gen Z protests swept 34 German cities on Saturday (31 October) over education, living costs and military service proposals. Violence erupted in Fra...
The U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth an estimated $2.1 billion, but Kyiv could face years of delays before receiving the weapons it urgently needs to defend against intensifying Russian attacks.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has ordered Iran's armed forces to respond to any threat immediately and without geographical limits in statements posted to social media platforms on Saturday (31 October).
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
A Chinese-made AI chip has matched Nvidia’s H200 in tests conducted by its developer, marking a potential breakthrough in China’s efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign technology.
A hacking group linked to North Korea is widely believed to be behind the theft of $6.3 billion from cryptocurrency giant Binance, a cyberattack that experts describe as the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.
Since 2021, only 9 per cent of $8 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan can be traced beyond initial recipients in public records, a Kabul Institute report released on 22 October said. The United Nations says its oversight systems ensure accountability.
Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan surged by 330 per cent in 2026 despite a four-year ban, the United Nations said on Thursday. Afghan authorities disputed the findings, while Japan urged continued support for farmers seeking alternative livelihoods.
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
Central Asia could gain up to $640 million a year from closer energy cooperation, but strained electricity grids threaten to limit those gains, with Kazakhstan particularly exposed to regional power shortages and growing pressure on its network.
Georgia and Azerbaijan are stepping up efforts to boost trade, strengthen transport links between Asia and Europe and resolve a longstanding border dispute, as both countries seek to deepen their strategic partnership.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment