The Hezbollah faithful packed into Lebanon’s largest stadium to show their support for the group and pay their respects to their charismatic leader Hassan Nasrallah who was killed in a massive Israeli airstrike.
His coffin was paraded around the ground whilst mourners wept and tried to clamber on board the motorcade.
But as their tears fell, Israeli jets roared overhead – a sign that while the latest conflict is over, the war has not really ended.
In a region where force is often the language spoken, it was a potent statement.
The funeral for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Pic: Reuters
The funeral’s significance goes far beyond simple grief for his loyalists.
A weakened Hezbollah has major geopolitical implications and could signal a change in the power dynamics of the region.
Nasrallah’s death last September represents the end of an era for Hezbollah.
Upon taking over its leadership in 1992, he transformed it from a small guerrilla force into one of the most formidable political and military powers in Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
Under his command the group evolved into a key actor in the regional balance of power, maintaining close ties with Iran and Syria. But in the few months since his assassination, the organisation has lost key allies in the deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad and Hamas is severely damaged after 16 months of devastating conflict in Gaza.
His popularity among Hezbollah’s supporters cannot be overstated; his charismatic rhetoric and commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty made him a hero to many in the Shiite community and beyond.
Pic: Reuters
The funeral took place in Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium. Pic: Reuters
Many of his followers regarded him as the leader of the “axis of resistance” – a group of anti-west and anti-Israel militias that includes the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas, and Shia fighters in Iraq. However, many here in Lebanon criticised his decision to link the country’s fate to the conflict in Gaza.
For his enemies, he was, of course, the leader of a terrorist organisation – a malign force operating in the heart of the region.
Many question how easy it will be for Hezbollah to make a comeback.
Its leadership has been decimated, it has lost large numbers of fighters and much of its weaponry.
Read more: Who was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah?
The funeral of Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine took place at the same time. Pic: Reuters
The group’s power was also heavily entwined with the personality of Hassan Nasrallah – he will be difficult to replace.
Its new leader Naim Qassem has vowed that the resistance will not be broken.
But he has none of Nasrallah’s charisma or popularity – it means there is a vacuum now in the group with the possibility of splits opening up over what direction the movement should take.
Nasrallah was killed on 27 September last year in a series of heavy airstrikes targeting his underground command centre in Beirut.
It was a turning point in the war with Israel.
Hezbollah had launched attacks on the Jewish state’s northern towns and cities in solidarity with Hamas after the 7 October terror attacks.
It would turn out to be a catastrophic miscalculation.
The group was battered by Israel’s military and despite the show of loyalty at the funeral, its grip on Lebanon has been weakened – the group has often been described as a “state within a state”.
Outside the stadium tens of thousands of supporters turned out – the streets filling with those who had come to say goodbye.
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And for the movement, the number of people attending is important as it tries to project strength and revive its image.
But with Hezbollah’s backer Iran also weakened and its ally in Syria dealing with the aftermath of the revolution – it will not be easy to rebuild.
Israel has also made clear it will not tolerate a resurgent Hezbollah – any rearmament is likely to be met with a military response.
There’s no doubt the conflict with Israel has left Hezbollah in crisis.
There are unanswered questions too about the wisdom of starting a war that caused so much destruction for the Lebanese people.
