After Nasrallah

The funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, former Secretary-General of Hezbollah, transformed into a demonstration of honor for the axis of resistance. Hundreds of thousands of people converged in Beirut to pay their final respects to their leader, whom they revered as “a leader, a father, a protector.”

During the ceremony, chants of “Death to Israel! Death to US!” resonated, while Israeli warplanes breached Lebanese airspace, generating sonic booms over Beirut. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “This is the end for those who threaten to destroy Israel and those who attack Israel. While you are mourning your leaders, we are showing you who has triumphed. We now decide when and when not to fly in the skies over Beirut.” Katz also delivered a message to Hezbollah, stating, “You will specialize in funerals; we will specialize in victories.”

The ceremony, which saw significant attendance from international delegations, served not only as an expression of mourning but also as a strategic message showcasing the organization’s power and influence. This funeral can be interpreted not just as a show of force, but also as evidence that Hezbollah’s logistical capabilities are operational once more. The meticulous planning, organization, and transportation of such a vast crowd to Beirut demonstrated that Hezbollah retains a robust mobilization capacity throughout the country. The influx of people from southern Lebanon to the Bekaa Valley, Beirut, and other regions to attend the funeral clearly illustrated the organization’s widespread popular support.

How do the “new methods of resistance” under discussion within Hezbollah align with this situation?

On one hand, Naim Qassem stated that they would treat Israel’s presence in Lebanon as an occupation and combat it, while on the other, he alluded to diplomatic avenues. Hezbollah is openly supporting the Lebanese government in its recovery process to address the occupation issue through diplomatic channels.

When considering Hezbollah as it has been known for the past 40 years, it is evident that the organization can seemingly vanish at times, only to reappear unexpectedly and ubiquitously. The collapse of the Assad regime in Syria undoubtedly weakened Hezbollah, severing a crucial lifeline. However, as long as Iran remains a supporter, Hezbollah can endure. A strong Iranian presence was palpable at the funeral: the representative of the Supreme Leader delivered a speech, and the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, the Foreign Minister, and other officials were in attendance. The President of Iran also issued a statement. This underscores that Hezbollah remains Iran’s most significant proxy in the region, and that both parties place considerable importance on this relationship. Iran’s influence in the region may be diminished currently, but any shift in the balance of power would have a direct impact on Hezbollah.

Why was Nasrallah’s funeral conducted five months after his death?

The fact that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s funeral was organized only now, five months after his passing, is directly linked to security concerns.

Nasrallah was killed in September of the previous year, during the peak of the full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah. At that time, the Israeli army was conducting almost daily bombings in Lebanon and targeting senior Hezbollah commanders in a series of assassinations.

Such a large-scale funeral would have necessitated the simultaneous gathering of Hezbollah’s top leadership and supporters, presenting an ideal target for Israel. Recognizing that the Israeli army would likely seize the opportunity to eliminate top commanders in a single strike, Hezbollah opted to postpone the funeral, holding it at a more opportune time from a security perspective.

Nevertheless, even five months later, the funeral served not only as a memorial event but also as a political message, demonstrating the organization’s strength and resolve. Hezbollah aimed to convey that it could endure even under intense attacks and that it had not forfeited popular support.

How strong is Hezbollah currently?

Hezbollah has been considerably weakened by the war, particularly concerning its weapons capabilities and leadership. Many of the organization’s top commanders have been killed in Israeli precision strikes.

Despite this, Hezbollah remains ideologically and organizationally viable. One of the primary objectives of the funeral was to demonstrate this to the world: “We are still here; we are still standing.” However, the gathering of hundreds of thousands of people does not negate the fact that the organization is grappling with serious challenges.

Firstly, there is a leadership vacuum. The new leader, Naim Qassem, who succeeded Nasrallah, lacks the same level of charisma, which may have a slightly negative impact on motivation and popular support within the organization. Financial difficulties also pose a significant problem for Hezbollah. The decline of Iran’s influence in the region, the closure of the Syrian route, and the economic burdens of the war are hindering the organization’s ability to finance itself. Considering these factors, it is evident that Hezbollah is not as strong as it once was. However, owing to its ideological strength and its influence on its popular base, its presence continues to be felt.