BEIRUT (Dispatches) – A large gathering of journalists, activists, and social media influencers has converged on Beirut for the funeral of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the assassinated leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement which is set for Sunday at 1:00 PM local time.
Following the tragic assassination of Nasrallah on September 27, 2024, by Israeli airstrikes using American-made bunker-buster bombs, the outpouring of condolences on social media highlighted the immense influence Nasrallah held far beyond Lebanon’s borders.
During the attack, Israeli jets targeted six residential buildings in southern Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, causing widespread devastation.
Now, more than five months after the attack, Beirut’s airport and streets are seeing a steady stream of people, many waving Hezbollah flags and carrying images of Nasrallah as they gather to honor him.
Known for his role in leading Hezbollah’s resistance during the 2006 war with Israel, Nasrallah became a symbol of defiance, and his legacy is honored by his supporters from across the region.
As activists and influencers arrive in the Lebanese capital, social media is abuzz with photos of their journey, building anticipation for the Sunday funeral that promises to be a poignant and lasting tribute to Nasrallah’s legacy.
Tara Reynor O’Grady, President of No Peace Without Justice, is among those documenting the impact of the attack.
She filmed the site where Nasrallah was martyred and the destruction caused by the Israeli bombing, sharing her experience on X (formerly Twitter).
“In Lebanon this week to document the destruction, and to lend solidarity to the people who have been internally displaced as they return to their villages,” she wrote.
She added, “One of these above sites is where Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was martyred, with the evident use of penetrative missiles.”
An X user named Sarah shared an image of the widespread destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes, with a large portrait of Nasrallah hanging from a nearby building.
She wrote, “We are in Lebanon!!! To pay our respects to the hero Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.”
Well-known Brazilian journalist and geopolitical analyst, and columnist at The Cradle, Pepe Escobar, shared a photo that spoke volumes.
The image showed three buildings in southern Beirut, each adorned with a portrait of Nasrallah—serving as a poignant symbol of the martyred Hezbollah leader’s lasting legacy.
He captioned the photo, “Southern Beirut. Nasrallah Row.”
Meanwhile, X user Ali posted an image that further reinforced the solidarity surrounding Nasrallah’s martyrdom.
The image showed Mandla Mandela, the grandson of South African anti-apartheid activist and former president Nelson Mandela, wearing a kefiyeh in Lebanon.
Ali wrote, “Nelson Mandela’s grandson in Lebanon to attend the funeral of the martyr leader of the resistance.”