Aitaroun, Aita al-Shaab bid farewell to more than 130 martyrs
3 Min Read
Earlier, the Israeli military carried out intensive machine-gun fire operations from positions across the border on the southern outskirts of Aitaroun, coinciding with preparations for the martyrs' funerals.
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Mourners attend the funeral procession of 14 Hezbollah fighters martyed during battles with the Israeli military in southern Lebanon, on February 25, 2025, in the southern village of Khiam (AFP)
The southern Lebanese held funerals on Friday for more than 130 martyrs from the towns of Aitaroun and Aita al-Shaab, who were killed in recent months during the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and had been temporarily buried outside their hometowns.
Among the martyrs was our colleague at Al Mayadeen, Hadi al-Sayyed, who was killed late September 2024 in an Israeli airstrike on South Lebanon.
أقام أهالي بلدتي الوردانية وعيترون تكريماً لنحو 40 شهيداً من #عيترون، كانوا قد دُفنوا كودائع في الوردانية.
— الميادين لبنان (@mayadeenlebanon) February 27, 2025
يأتي ذلك في إطار التحضيرات لنقل جثامين 82 شهيداً إلى عيترون، كانوا قد دُفنوا كودائع في مناطق مختلفة، خلال العدوان الإسرائيلي.#لبنان #الميادين_لبنان pic.twitter.com/Hh0GRE8XHg
A convoy carrying the remains of 95 martyrs from Aitaroun arrived in the town's main square, where their coffins were draped with Hezbollah and Lebanese flags. Large crowds gathered in Aitaroun Martyrs’ Square to receive them and participate in their funeral procession.
#بالفيديو | انطلق موكب شهداء بلدة #عيترون الـ95 من أمام مقام النبي ساري على أوتوستراد الزهراني باتجاه بلدتهم.@AlMayadeenNews #الميادين_لبنان #لبنان pic.twitter.com/7wnh28Vwjk
— الميادين لبنان (@mayadeenlebanon) February 28, 2025
Residents of the towns of Wardaniyeh and Aitaroun held a special tribute for approximately 40 martyrs from Aitaroun who had been temporarily buried in Wardaniyeh.
In Aita al-Shaab, thousands took part in the funeral procession of 42 martyrs from the town.
Earlier on Friday, the Israeli occupation military carried out intensive machine-gun fire operations from positions across the border on the southern outskirts of Aitaroun, coinciding with preparations for the martyrs' funerals.
Last week, the Lebanese presidency announced that President Joseph Aoun urged a US congressional delegation to pressure Washington into pushing "Israel" to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon.
This demand follows "Israel's" partial withdrawal on February 18, which left several strategic areas still occupied, sparking renewed concerns over sovereignty and security.
Defense Minister General Michel Mansi reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to working closely with UNIFIL, praising its peacekeeping efforts while condemning any attacks on its personnel.
During his meeting with UNIFIL's head of mission and commander-in-chief, General Aroldo Lazaro, Mansi stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army to ensure full implementation of Resolution 1701.
Mansi further noted the Lebanese Army's crucial role in maintaining security and stability, especially given "Israel's" repeated violations of Resolution 1701 and Lebanese sovereignty. He called for "Israel's" complete withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories, emphasizing the need to safeguard Lebanon's territorial integrity.
Since the ceasefire's implementation, "Israel" has violated the truce over 1000 times, according to UNIFIL reports. These breaches include over 800 Israeli airspace violations, reflecting a pattern of heightened military activity.
"Israel" continues to occupy five strategic locations in southern Lebanon, violating the ceasefire agreement and undermining regional stability.
Read more: One martyr, one injured in an Israeli airstrike on Hermel, Lebanon
