The burial ceremony of Hassan Nasrallah, former leader of Hezbollah, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the Camille Chamoun Sports Stadium in Beirut, Lebanon. Following the ceremony, Nasrallah will be laid to rest near the Beirut International Airport at Burj al Barajneh.
Nasrallah met his demise in an Israeli airstrike in September 2024, causing a delay in his burial for several months due to security concerns. The location selection for Nasrallah’s final resting place has sparked interest and speculation, prompting expert analysis from Avi Ashkenazi, an Israeli military expert and journalist from Maariv.
Ashkenazi sheds light on the rationale behind choosing the burial site for Nasrallah, emphasizing Hezbollah’s desire to showcase strength following significant losses against Israel. He highlights the significance of inviting leaders from the Axis of Resistance to attend the funeral, including Houthi leaders from Yemen and officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran.
The decision to hold the funeral ceremony at the stadium and bury Nasrallah near the airport was a strategic move to prevent potential Israeli interference, according to Ashkenazi. By selecting these locations, Hezbollah aimed to safeguard the proceedings, recognizing their importance to Beirut as tourist attractions and civilian hubs.
### Thousands of Mourners Expected
Anticipating the attendance of thousands of mourners from Lebanon and beyond, preparations have been made to accommodate the vast crowd paying their final respects to Nasrallah. Larger-than-life portraits of Nasrallah have been displayed across Beirut, including at the stadium where the ceremony will take place.
The Camille Chamoun Stadium, with a seating capacity of approximately 50,000, has been readied to host the throngs of mourners, complete with giant screens to broadcast the funeral proceedings. Hezbollah has mobilized around 25,000 individuals to manage the crowd and 4,000 personnel for event supervision.
Additionally, 4,000 troops and security personnel will be deployed to ensure the safety and security of the stadium during the ceremony. Notable Lebanese officials, such as President Joseph Aoun, have been invited by Hezbollah, along with their allies from other nations.
Iran will be represented by the Speaker of Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, while representatives from various factions in Iraq are also expected to be in attendance. Ali Daamoush, a senior Hezbollah official, estimates that about 800 individuals from 65 countries will participate in the event.
As the day approaches, the solemnity and significance of Nasrallah’s burial ceremony resonate deeply with those who knew him, those who admired him, and those who opposed him. The convergence of mourners from diverse backgrounds and nations underscores the complexities of Nasrallah’s legacy, reflecting the intricate web of alliances and conflicts that defined his leadership.
The final journey of Hassan Nasrallah, from the stadium filled with grieving faces to the tranquil resting place near the bustling airport, encapsulates the enduring impact of a man whose life and death continue to shape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. As the world watches and remembers, Nasrallah’s burial serves as a poignant reminder of the ever-present tensions and aspirations that permeate the region.
With meticulous planning and profound symbolism, Nasrallah’s burial ceremony stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of a leader whose influence transcended borders and ideologies. As the echoes of the ceremony fade into the Lebanese sky, the memory of Nasrallah lingers on, a figure whose presence will endure in the hearts and minds of those he touched and those he challenged.
