Trump admin pushed Israelis to bomb Sayyed Nasrallah funeral: Report
3 Min Read
Senior officials in the Trump administration encouraged the Israeli occupation to carry out attacks targeting Hezbollah officials during Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's funeral.
-
An Israeli fighter jet flies over a Lebanese airforce Cessna plane during the funeral ceremony of Hezbollah leaders Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine in the Sports City Stadium in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 (AP)
A senior official from the Trump administration reportedly sent a message to the Israeli occupation on the eve of Hezbollah leaders Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine’s funeral, stating that not only did Washington give a green light for targeting high-ranking Hezbollah officials during the funeral procession, but the administration would actually welcome such an action, Israeli media reported on Thursday.
The report, published by Channel 14, did not clarify whether the message was conveyed directly on behalf of former President Donald Trump. However, it suggested that the message came from a relatively senior and well-known figure within the administration, hinting at a degree of support from Washington.
For the second time, Israeli warplanes flew at a very low altitude in an unsuccessful attempt to spread fear among those who gathered in the funeral procession of Sayyed Hassan and Sayyed Hashem.#Lebanon #AlMayadeen pic.twitter.com/WyCd89Sfll
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 23, 2025
Despite this, Israeli officials ultimately decided to refrain from carrying out an attack, opting instead to conduct low-altitude flights over the funeral procession and the Beirut Sports City area. The decision was reportedly influenced by concerns over reigniting the northern front, especially as fighting in southern Lebanon remained a possibility.
A momentous funeral ceremony
A momentous funeral procession was held on Sunday in Beirut for Hezbollah’s two late secretaries generals. The ceremony took place at Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, where tens of thousands of mourners gathered to pay their final respects.
As the coffins of the two leaders entered the stadium, the crowd erupted in chants of allegiance, "Labbayka Ya Nasrallah" (At your service, Nasrallah), "We remain committed to the pledge, Nasrallah," and "Far from us is humiliation."
The stadium and the dozens of large screens and speakers spread throughout the Lebanese capital were echoing with iconic speeches made by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as the world bid farewell to the great leaders.
The two leaders, in their caskets, donned with Hezbollah flags, were driven out onto the stadium as people could be seen crying and weeping out of sorrow over the great loss they endured.
In the midst of the ceremony, the Israeli occupation forces violated Lebanon's sovereignty and airspace, flying fighter jets at incredibly low altitudes over the Lebanese capital. The roar of the engines were met with deafening roars from the people, who chanted in support of the martyred leader, affirming that they would not be deterred by a petty attempt at intimidation.
The funeral took place under heightened security measures implemented by Hezbollah and Lebanese security agencies. By 7:00 AM, just an hour after the gates opened, all designated spaces inside the stadium were already occupied.
