Alongside Nasrallah, the funeral also honored his intended successor, Hashem Safieddine, who was killed in a separate Israeli strike before assuming leadership. Their coffins, draped in Hezbollah’s flag, were paraded through the sea of supporters, reinforcing the image of martyrdom that Hezbollah often employs in its narrative of resistance.
Israel’s Continued Airstrikes Amid the Funeral
Even as the funeral was taking place, Israel continued its military operations in Lebanon. Reports confirmed that Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes targeting Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon. The Israeli government framed these strikes as a necessary response to Hezbollah’s persistent attacks and its broader military strategy in the region.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, emphasized that Israel was sending a clear message: “Whoever threatens to destroy Israel – that will be the end of them.” This rhetoric aligns with Israel’s long-standing stance against Hezbollah, which it views as an existential threat due to its ties with Iran and its military capabilities.