Hezbollah Announces Public Funeral for Nasrallah After Two-Month Delay Amid Ceasefire

BEIRUT, Nov 27 – In a significant development, Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah has announced it will hold a public funeral for its late leader, Hassan Nasrallah, two months after his martyrdom in an Israeli airstrike. The announcement was made by Hezbollah’s political council deputy leader, Mahmoud Qomi, during a press conference.

Nasrallah was killed on September 27 in an Israeli air raid that targeted his headquarters in southern Lebanon. Despite the devastating loss, his public funeral had been delayed due to continuous Israeli bombardment in the region. However, following the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which came into effect earlier this week, preparations for Nasrallah’s public funeral have begun.

The funeral will be held with full honors, as announced by Qomi, and it is expected that Lebanese citizens will be able to attend and pay their respects. This marks a pivotal moment in Hezbollah’s ongoing efforts to maintain unity and show strength in the face of adversity.

Hezbollah’s Role in the Conflict
Nasrallah’s death was a significant blow to Hezbollah, but the group has continued to fight against Israel, including launching retaliatory missile attacks. His martyrdom was confirmed by Hezbollah on September 28, following the deadly Israeli airstrikes in Beirut. The strike also resulted in the deaths of several senior Hezbollah commanders, and it is reported that Nasrallah’s daughter, Zeinab Nasrallah, was among those killed.

Israeli military reports stated that the attack involved heavy bombing, with F-35 fighter jets targeting civilian areas in Beirut, causing extensive damage. It is estimated that thousands of pounds of bombs were dropped, leveling buildings and leaving many areas in rubble. This devastating attack came amid a broader escalation in the ongoing conflict, as Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in a series of confrontations since the outbreak of hostilities.

Ceasefire Brings Hope for Peace
In a related development, a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect on Wednesday at 4:00 AM local time, marking a temporary halt to the ongoing hostilities. This ceasefire followed extensive diplomatic efforts, with U.S. President Joe Biden announcing that an agreement had been reached to end the violence between the two sides. The ceasefire agreement, designed to stop the bloodshed along the Lebanon-Israel border, is expected to be a first step toward a more permanent peace.

The announcement of the ceasefire has led to signs of hope, as residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, heavily impacted by the recent violence, began returning to their homes. Many had been displaced by the continuous bombardment and had sought refuge in safer parts of Lebanon.

Concerns Over Long-Term Peace
While the ceasefire has brought some relief, there are concerns over whether this will lead to a lasting peace or if the violence will resume. The situation remains precarious, with tensions still high between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Additionally, the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has seen thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza, has complicated the regional security landscape, further escalating the risk of broader conflict.

President Biden, in his statement, expressed hope that the ceasefire would lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities, allowing civilians on both sides to rebuild their lives. He stated that citizens would soon be able to return safely to their homes, schools, farms, and businesses.

Hezbollah’s Involvement in Peace Talks
While Hezbollah did not directly participate in the negotiations leading to the ceasefire, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri played a central role in the discussions. Despite the breakthrough, Berri has not publicly commented on the progress of the talks or their long-term implications for Lebanon and Hezbollah’s position in the region.

Lebanon’s interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire agreement and expressed his support for the diplomatic efforts that led to the temporary halt in hostilities. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed the approval of the ceasefire and expressed his appreciation for U.S. support for Israel’s right to self-defense.

As the ceasefire holds, the Lebanese people remain cautiously optimistic, hoping that this fragile peace will provide the stability needed to begin rebuilding their war-torn country.