Sayed’s Final Farewell: People undeterred despite Israel’s jet threats

People started chanting Death to Israel after four Israeli fighter jets roared over Beirut’s skies, circling above the stadium where tens of thousands had gathered for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral. Nearly five months after Nasrallah was martyred in an Israeli airstrike, Hezbollah and its supporters assembled in force at Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium. The 55,000-seat venue was packed hours before the ceremony, filled with yellow Hezbollah flags, portraits of the slain leader, and banners of defiance. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Iraqi Shi'ite militia leaders, and a delegation from Yemen’s Houthis and dignitaries from 60 countries were among those in attendance, underscoring Hezbollah’s popularity in the regional. But this funeral was more than just a farewell—it was a show of strength. After last year’s devastating war with Israel, the apartheid regime was forced into calling for ceasefire after villages in the occupied-Palestine were empty of its residence due to war with Hezbollah. Thousand of IDF soldiers were either killed or injured during its confrontation with Hezbollah. Israel, however, never discloses the loses to keep the morale of its troops high and also send a false message to its allies that they are still strong in the region. Adding to the turmoil, Hashem Safieddine—the man who briefly led Hezbollah after Nasrallah’s assassination—was also martyred in an Israeli strike before his leadership was even officially announced. Sunday’s funeral honoured them both. Though Israel has largely withdrawn from southern Lebanon under a US-brokered ceasefire, its troops still hold strategic hilltop positions violating the terms of the ceasefire. Keeping tensions at a boiling point, Israel violated ceasefire terms when its warplanes struck targets in the south Lebanon just hours before the funeral. It was also an attempt to keep people away from attending the funeral. The move, however, failed to scare people away and tens of thousands joined the funeral procession of Lebanon’s beloved leader.