February 23, 2025
Huge crowds turn out for funeral of Hassan Nasrallah
Tens of thousands of people have gathered in Lebanon’s capital Beirut for the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah.
The former Hezbollah leader was killed nearly five months ago in a massive Israeli airstrike on a suburb south of Beirut.
His death was seen as a major blow for the Iran-backed movement, which comprises a political party and an armed wing. Nasrallah led the group for more than 30 years and was one of its founders. Under his direction, the organization developed into a major political and military power in Lebanon, as well as an influential force in the Middle East.
Hezbollah is classified as a terrorist organization by the US, Germany and several Sunni Arab countries, while the EU lists its armed wing as a terrorist group.
Sunday’s funeral is to be held in Beirut’s main sports stadium, which has a capacity of 50,000. Giant screens were also set up outside the venue.
Officials from around the region were expected to attend, including Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as well as representatives of Lebanon’s president and prime minister.
Hezbollah has called on its supporters to turn out in large numbers for the funeral, expected to be Lebanon’s largest such ceremony in two decades.
Nasrallah’s killing came after clashes between Israel and Hezbollah escalated into a full-scale war in September last year. A US-brokered ceasefire ended the conflict on November 27.
Nasrallah’s funeral is due to start at 1:00 p.m. local time (1100 UCT).
https://p.dw.com/p/4qvB7
Israel postpones release of Palestinian prisoners
Israel said it will delay the planned release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners until militant group Hamas agrees to forgo “humiliating ceremonies” when it releases Israeli hostages.
The announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office came early on Sunday, a day after Hamas released six Israeli hostages in Gaza.
The six men were the last living Israeli captives to be handed over during the first phase of a truce that began on January 19.
Israel was meant to hand over more than 600 Palestinians held in Israeli jails in return.
But Netanyahu’s office said it was holding off on delivering the prisoners “until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.”
In its handovers, Hamas has made Israeli hostages appear on stage in front of crowds of onlookers in Gaza — displays the Red Cross and UN have described as cruel. Coffins with hostage remains have also been carried through crowds.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou accused Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire by not releasing the Palestinian prisoners on Saturday as planned. Both sides have frequently accused each other of breaching the terms of the truce since it came into force last month.
The deal is due to expire in early March, and negotiations for a second phase to secure the release of more hostages have not yet begun.
More than 60 Israeli hostages are still held in Gaza, less than half of whom are believed to be alive.
https://p.dw.com/p/4qv8k
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