Millions from 70 nations in Beirut attending the funeral procession for Hezbollah leaders Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem

In spite of the cold morning temperatures, a substantial influx of individuals is heading towards Beirut, resulting in considerable traffic congestion on major thoroughfares leading into the city, notably the Sidon-Beirut and Bekaa-Beirut routes.

A diverse gathering of women, children, and the elderly assembled, carrying portraits of fallen individuals and banners emblazoned with notable quotations from Nasrallah.

Military and internal security units have been dispatched to manage the growing crowds and ensure order is maintained.

The Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar television station has reported that numerous screens have been installed at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium located in Beirut’s Bir Hassan area. This measure is aimed at allowing mourners to closely follow the proceedings of the event.

The logistical and technical arrangements for the upcoming funeral ceremony have been finalized, officials confirm.

The funeral service is scheduled to commence at 1:00 PM local time, featuring a recitation from the Quran. This will be followed by performances of the national anthem and the anthem of Hezbollah.

The coffins are set to be conveyed in a designated vehicle, culminating in an address from Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem. This will precede the procession’s journey to the designated burial location.

The forthcoming funeral is anticipated to be a significant international event, with approximately 70 nations confirming their official attendance through diplomatic delegations. The gathering will include current and former parliamentarians, ministers, and a host of notable political leaders.

Thousands of individuals associated with a spectrum of political and religious factions, as well as resistance groups, have converged upon Beirut to partake in a ceremony honoring the martyred leaders.

Thousands of mourners from several Arab and Muslim nations, including Iraq, Yemen, Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Turkey, are attending the funeral procession, signifying a pivotal moment in the history of Lebanon and the broader West Asia region.

In a similar development, airlines have reported a notable surge in the frequency of flights destined for Beirut.

Iraqi Airways and Middle East Airlines have announced an increase in flight services between Baghdad and Beirut this week, in response to a significant rise in ticket demand ahead of an upcoming funeral.

In preparation for and during the funeral, the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces have implemented stringent security protocols, mobilizing a deployment of 4,000 personnel.

Furthermore, a contingent of over 25,000 discipline squad personnel is reportedly managing the movement of the mourning crowd, while an additional 4,000 organizers are overseeing the coordination of the event.

Four field hospitals have been established in the vicinity of Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium. These facilities are strategically located near the funeral route, the burial site, and the former Beirut airport road, enhancing medical response capabilities in the area.

Furthermore, over 70 ambulances and medical teams have been dispatched along the procession route to ensure medical readiness.

In a significant escalation, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut on September 27, 2024. The assault involved Israeli jets deploying approximately 85 tons of explosives to demolish six residential buildings in the Dahiyeh suburb. The operation marks the culmination of a week-long aerial bombardment campaign that targeted various locations from southern Lebanon to the capital city, Beirut.

On October 3, 2024, Safieddine was killed in a strike carried out by Israeli forces.

Hezbollah has decided to delay the funeral proceedings for the two leaders, citing concerns over potential Israeli attacks targeting the event.