By Özgür Altınbaş, Gürkan Demir, Zafer Alpuğan, from Beirut / Lebanon
The farewell to Hasan Nasrallah provides key insights into the new phase unfolding in Lebanon and the broader region. Despite their loss, the people of Lebanon once again displayed the same resilience and determination they have shown in the past, standing strong in the face of adversity.
Even in the wake of Nasrallah’s martyrdom and the loss of their frontline leaders in battle, the spirit of defiance remains unshaken among the Lebanese people. “We are all Nasrallah,” they shout. This powerful declaration not only honors their fallen leaders, but also refutes claims that the resistance forces have been weakened.
UWI reporters were in Beirut to attend and witness the funeral processions of Nasrallah and other Hezbollah leaders.
Resistance everywhere
The moment you step out of Beirut’s airport, the symbols of resistance greet you. As you move towards the city center, the streets are lined with portraits of fallen resistance fighters, along with Lebanese, Palestinian and Hezbollah flags. The sounds of revolutionary anthems echo from cafes and shops with an uninterrupted play. At various intersections, crowds wave flags and chant slogans, while nearly every car and motorcycle is adorned with images and banners symbolizing the resistance.
A global gathering
Beirut’s airport witnessed one of its busiest days, with flights landing one after another and queues of dozens of meters. People from all over the world, of different faiths, sects, languages and backgrounds, poured into Beirut. This demonstrates once more that Nasrallah was not just a Lebanese leader but a symbol of resistance for oppressed peoples everywhere.
Those arriving in Beirut didn’t initially head to their hotels, but to the site of the attack where Nasrallah was martyred. Here prayers were recited for him and the others who were martyred alongside him.
Traces of the attack
In the Dahieh district, where Nasrallah was martyred, the traces of destruction are still visible. Damaged buildings, vehicles rendered unusable and piles of rubble. For those witnessing the scene firsthand, the commitment to resisting Israel could only grow stronger.
Speaking to locals at the district, one theme emerged repeatedly: admiration for Nasrallah’s unwavering struggle. Particularly among the younger generation, an intense sense of loyalty and devotion to him was simple evident.
Media and journalists from all corners of the world
Media and journalists from all corners of the world, from Brazil to Ireland, from France to Japan, were in Beirut to witness and report the funeral ceremony. From the early hours of the morning, reporters extended their microphones to Lebanese citizens of all ages. In every interview, we heard one message again and again: the unwavering commitment to the resistance.
Fists raised against the warplanes of Israel
During the funeral ceremony for Nasrallah and Hashem Safi al-Din at Camille Chamoun Stadium, Israel once again demonstrated its recklessness. Hoping to instill fear in the massive crowd of over one million people gathered in and around the stadium, Israeli fighter jets carried out two low altitude flyovers with four warplanes.
But instead of fear, Israel was met with unwavering resolve. As the jets roared overhead of the crowd, thousands of fists shot into the air: “Death to Israel, death to America!” In response, the Israeli jets returned for another low-altitude flyover, only to meet with even louder and more defiant slogans.
We returned, they couldn’t
After the funeral, we traveled to the very edge of the southern Lebanese border, where the occupied territories were visible to the naked eye just at a short 5–10-minute walk distance. During the war, Israel was unable to enter into southern Lebanon, but taking advantage of the ceasefire, its forces advanced a few hundred meters. In the areas they entered, they destroyed buildings to the ground with bombs, but they were forced to retreat soon after.
In the village of Maroun El Ras, we spoke with residents of southern Lebanon. This village was bombed dozens of times during the war and around 80 civilians lost their lives. Following the bombardment and losses, the village had to be evacuated. But after the ceasefire, its people returned home. Their words reflected the reality of the conflict: “The greatest proof of our victory is that while we have returned to our homes in the south, the occupying Israelis were unable to return to theirs in the north”.
The next day: Funeral of Hashem Safiyuddin
The next day after Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral, this time Lebanon holds funeral for another Hezbollah leader, Hashem Safiyuddin in in his birthplace, Deir Qanoun.
A massive procession took place from the village center to the burial site. The crowd stretched for kilometers. The presence of women in large numbers was particularly noteworthy, and their echoing voices against the US and Israel throughout the march. Also, Lebanese parliament members and representatives from regional countries also attended the funeral.
Hashem Safiyuddin was a key leader in the resistance. He was Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General and seen as the successor to Hasan Nasrallah.
Safiyuddin had been a part of Hezbollah since 1982 and was one of the seven members of its decision-making consultative council. He was also Hasan Nasrallah’s cousin. His brother, Abdullah Safiyuddin, serves as Hezbollah’s representative in Iran. His son, Riza Safiyuddin, is married to Zeinab Soleimani, the daughter of Iran’s martyred commander, Qasem Soleimani.
The Hezbollah had announced his martyrdom on October 4, 2024, with the following statement:
“To the mujahid nation that raises martyrs, to the nation of resistance and victory, we offer our condolences on the martyrdom of the great leader and great martyr of the path to Jerusalem, the President of Hezbollah’s Executive Council, Sheikh Sayyed Hashem Safiyuddin. Sayyed Hashem has joined his brother, our noble and revered martyr, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah. As Abbas (peace be upon him) was to Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), so was Sayyed Hashem to Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah. In times of calamity and hardship, Sayyed Hashem was a trusted supporter of the martyred Nasrallah. He dedicated most of his life to Hezbollah, the Islamic Resistance and the people. Throughout his honorable years, he led the Executive Council, its institutions, and units with responsibility and competence. He was close to Hezbollah’s fighters, deeply connected to the people and loved the families of the martyrs. May Allah place him among the caravan of the martyrs of Karbala.”