Thousands of Hezbollah supporters have flown into Beirut for the funeral of slain leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike nearly five months ago. The ceremony is expected to take place at Beirut’s main sports stadium on Sunday.
Nasrallah’s death marked a significant blow to the militant group he founded and led for over 30 years. Hezbollah has suffered losses in its latest war with Israel, including the killing of several senior military and political figures.
Flights from Iraq have been full as thousands of supporters, including Iraqi Shiites, arrived in Beirut for the funeral. American commentator Jackson Hinkle, who supports Russia, was also among those attending the ceremony.
Nasrallah held a high honorific title in the Islamic world, known as “sayyid,” which signifies his lineage dating back to the Prophet Muhammad. The funeral ceremony is expected to draw large crowds and attract attention from regional and global leaders.
However, Lebanese authorities had initially revoked permission for a passenger plane from Iran, leaving dozens stranded in Tehran. The ban was due to Israel’s accusation that Iran was smuggling cash to Hezbollah through civilian flights, leading some in Lebanon to accuse their government of caving under pressure.
Despite the controversy, thousands have made it to Beirut to pay their respects to Nasrallah and mourn his loss.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/hezbollah-lebanon-israel-nasrallah-funeral-safieddine-502bb601ce9f3b8c980ae591462c9c51