Israeli fighter jets launched air strikes across Lebanon on Sunday ahead of the funeral of former Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine.
Hundreds of thousands of Hezbollah supporters gathered in southern Beirut for the funeral, five months after Nasrallah and his heir apparent, Safieddine, were killed consecutively in Israeli air strikes on southern Beirut’s suburbs.
The funeral procession began at 1pm local time (11am GMT) at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium.
The stadium and surrounding roads were packed with supporters, many in black, holding pictures of Nasrallah and Hezbollah flags.
Expanded to hold 78,000 people, the stadium was filled to capacity. Another 35,000 seats were allocated for men and 25,000 for women outside the stadium.
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Many supporters were moved to tears as they watched excerpts from Nasrallah’s speeches on giant screens. Thousands walked towards the stadium while others sat on the ground.
Hezbollah’s new chief, Naim Qassem, vowed to keep following Nasrallah’s “path” during a televised speech broadcast at the mass funeral.
“We will uphold trust and walk on this path. We will uphold your will,” Qassem said.
“You are still with us. Your… path and struggle live within us.”
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At the same time, Israeli fighter jets flew at low altitudes over Beirut and its suburbs.
Ahead of the funeral procession, Israeli air strikes hit southern Lebanon and areas west of Baalbek in the Beqaa Valley.
The National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes struck the Brisa area in the Hermel mountains of eastern Lebanon, with no casualties.
Israeli air strikes also targeted the outskirts of Bodai, between al-Jadawi and al-Hafir hill, west of Baalbek in the Beqaa Valley.
Further strikes hit the Marisa area near Ansar, the river area between al-Hallousiyah and Zarariyah, and the valley near Maaroub.
Israeli warplanes also carried out airstrikes between al-Qalila and al-Samiya, with local sources reporting heavy Israeli drone activity over Jabal al-Rihan.
The Israeli army later confirmed that it carried out the air strikes, claiming to target a military site containing rocket launchers and military equipment.
The air strikes are in violation of a ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon in November 2024.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Israel fighter jets flying over Beirut send a clear message that “whoever threatens to destroy Israel and attacks Israel – that will be his end”.
