Daijiworld Media Network - Beirut

Beirut, Feb 24: Israeli Air Force jets flew over Beirut during the funeral of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday, in what Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called a “clear message” to those threatening Israel.

“Anyone who threatens to destroy Israel and attacks Israel – this will be their end,” Katz said in a statement, referring to Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs last September.

The funeral drew tens of thousands of black-clad mourners, reaffirming Hezbollah’s strong support base despite recent setbacks. Women wailed as a truck carried the coffins of Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, his designated successor who was also killed in an Israeli strike. The coffins were draped in Hezbollah’s yellow flag, with black turbans placed on top.

In a televised address, Hezbollah’s new leader Naim Qassem vowed to continue Nasrallah’s path, rejecting US influence in Lebanon and declaring that the group remained ready to confront Israel.

“The resistance is not over; the resistance is still present and ready,” Qassem said, as mourners raised their fists and chanted in solidarity with Nasrallah.

The funeral, delayed for months due to security concerns, marked the end of an era for Hezbollah, which has long played a dominant role in Lebanon’s politics. The Israeli overflight during the ceremony underscored the rising tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed group.