Israeli warplanes roar low over Beirut during Nasrallah funeral

During the funeral of Hezbollah’s former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Beirut, Israeli warplanes conducted low-altitude flights over the city, causing sonic booms that resonated throughout the capital. This display coincided with the mass gathering of tens of thousands of mourners at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that these flights were intended to send a “clear message” to those threatening Israel, emphasizing that adversaries would meet a similar fate. Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over three decades, was killed in an Israeli airstrike nearly five months prior. His death, along with that of his cousin and designated successor, Hashem Safieddine, marked significant losses for the Iran-backed group.

Despite these setbacks, Hezbollah’s current leader, Naim Qassem, addressed the crowd, reaffirming the organization’s resilience and commitment to resistance against Israel. The funeral drew international attendees, including delegations from Iran, Iraq, and Yemen, underscoring Hezbollah’s extensive regional influence. The Israeli flyovers during the ceremony further heightened tensions, with Defense Minister Katz reiterating Israel’s stance against any threats to its security.