Hezbollah has announced that the funeral of its long-time leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, will take place on 23 February, months after he was killed in a series of Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.
Secretary-General Naim Kassem made the announcement in a pre-recorded speech, confirming the details of the funeral. The announcement comes days after a US-brokered ceasefire that ended the war between the Lebanese militant group and Israel, lasting until 18 February.
Nasrallah was killed on 27 September when a series of Israeli airstrikes hit several buildings in the southern Beirut suburb. A senior security aide to Nasrallah was inside Hezbollah’s war operations room when the strikes occurred.
Israel continues to maintain its troops in southern Lebanon, despite the agreed terms calling for a gradual withdrawal. As part of the ceasefire, Hezbollah has already withdrawn from north of the Litani River, following the Lebanese army's takeover.
Also read: Israeli jets pound Hezbollah’s underground arms site in Lebanon
Kassem, in his speech, stated, “The South says that Israel cannot remain in it, Israel cannot remain an occupier, and let everyone know that the sacrifices, no matter how great, will ultimately lead to the liberation of the land and the exit of Israel.”
Last week, during protests, Israeli forces opened fire, killing 24 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Despite Israel's destruction of most of Hezbollah's military capabilities during the war, it maintains that its presence is still necessary to neutralise Hezbollah’s remaining assets.
Alongside Nasrallah, a funeral procession will also be held for Hashem Safieddine, the second-in-command of Hezbollah, who was also slain during the Hezbollah-Israel conflict.
Also read: Israel and Lebanon to withdraw troops by Feb 18 : White House report
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