Why it matters:
Delegations from 78 countries are expected, highlighting the international resonance of the tragic loss and the unified stance against recent Israeli aggressions. The funeral is a powerful symbol of resistance in the face of ongoing Israeli aggressions in Lebanon and Palestine.
The big picture:
The ceremony marks more than just a memorial; it is a defiant stand against aggression. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was assassinated in the Israeli regime’s bombardment of southern Beirut on September 27, 2024, and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine was martyred in an Israeli attack on October 3, 2024. Originally postponed due to security concerns, the grand gathering now serves as both tribute and a geopolitical statement amid a shifting regional landscape.
What he’s saying:
Iranian officials, including Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf—who confirmed the arrival of a delegation comprising representatives from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution's office, government, judiciary, and parliament—emphasized their solidarity with the resistance.
Key points:
- Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium is fully occupied just hours before the ceremony begins.
- Key figures, including the Iranian Foreign Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament, have arrived in Beirut.
- Delegations from 78 countries are slated to join the event.
- The funeral program starts at 1:00 p.m. local time (1100 GMT) and includes seven segments.
- Nasrallah fell during a massive Israeli bombardment involving 85 tons of explosives that leveled six residential buildings; Safieddine was killed in a separate Israeli attack.
- Hezbollah initially postponed the funerals over fears of retaliatory Israeli strikes.
Go deeper:
This grand funeral is not just a commemoration of Martyred leaders—it is a bold declaration of resistance. The international participation reinforces a global coalition that stands against injustice and aggression.
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