‘Death to Israel, Death to America’: Hezbollah Flexes at Massive Nasrallah Funeral Buzzed by Israeli Jets

Latest Developments

• IAF Warplanes Buzz Funeral, Strike Lebanese Targets: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on February 23  that the Israeli Air Force flew low passes in the skies over the Beirut funeral of deceased former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. “You will specialize in funerals, and we will in victories,” Katz said. Israeli aircraft also launched fresh strikes against targets in “several areas in southern Lebanon where activity by Hezbollah was detected.”
• Lebanese and Iranian Political Leaders Attend: The funeral of Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on September 27, 2024, reportedly drew hundreds of thousands of Hezbollah supporters to Beirut’s Camille Chamoun Sports City stadium and surrounding areas to participate in a ceremony that was shared with Nasrallah’s presumed successor Hashem Safieddine, who was also killed by an Israeli airstrike on October 3, 2024. Among the crowd were representatives of newly elected Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
• Hezbollah Vows to Continue Terror: Current Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem did not attend the funeral physically but instead gave a televised speech to the excited crowd, who chanted “death to America” and “death to Israel.” The terrorist chief said that Hezbollah “will uphold your will,” in reference to Nasrallah, adding that Hezbollah is “loyal to the legacy” of the deceased former leader.

FDD Expert Response

“As expected, Nasrallah’s long-awaited funeral witnessed a massive turnout — primarily of Lebanese Shiites, but also domestic supporters and sympathizers from other sects and foreign supporters. Hundreds of thousands of attendees made this perhaps the largest funeral in Lebanon’s history. Hezbollah intended this funeral to be not only an outpouring of grief for its fallen leader, but a domestic show of strength. If the numbers are correct, then they delivered — at a critical inflection point for Lebanon. Hezbollah was battered by Israel, which provides Beirut with an unprecedented opportunity, if it possesses the will, to rein in the group. Knowing this, Hezbollah fell back on demonstrating their retention of the Shiite support that has shielded the group from any such action in the past — much to the detriment of Lebanese Shiites, Lebanon, and the region.” — David Daoud, Senior Fellow

“Hassan Nasrallah, the terrorist “mastermind” who led Hezbollah for 31 years, was responsible for the killing of Israelis of all backgrounds—Jews, Arabs, and Druze alike. The IDF has made it unmistakably clear to Hezbollah and its backers that terrorizing Israelis comes at a devastating cost. Today’s fighter jets soaring over his funeral send a blunt message to every Hezbollah terrorist: Israel can and will reach you—anytime, anywhere, above ground or below. This is the new reality after October 7.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Lebanon Chooses Nawaf Salam, an Adversary of Israel, as New Prime Minister,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem’s “Martyr Leaders Day” speech,” by David Daoud

“‘Deployed Temporarily’: IDF Details Lebanon Lookout Posts It Will Keep Post-Withdrawal,” FDD Flash Brief

“‘Israel Will Do What It Has To Do’: Hezbollah Hit As Withdrawal Deadline Nears,” FDD Flash Brief