After being struck down in an Israeli attack, Hezbollah’s chief Hassan Nasrallah was laid to rest at an undisclosed location on Friday, a strategic move by Hezbollah to avoid potential Israeli strikes targeting his funeral.
A source affiliated with Hezbollah disclosed that, due to fears of an Israeli attack, Nasrallah was temporarily buried in a secret place. Indeed, there was profound apprehension that Israel might strike during the funeral procession. Seeking to prevent such an event, a Lebanese official revealed—under the condition of anonymity—that Hezbollah pursued a guarantee from the US through Lebanese diplomatic channels. However, continuous Israeli assaults on Beirut hindered any possibility of securing this guarantee.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a national address following Friday prayers in Tehran, hailed Nasrallah as a brother and labeled him as Lebanon’s shining jewel, mourning his loss due to Israeli strikes.
He stated, 'My brother Nasrallah was a source of pride for me. His stature in the Islamic world was immense, a prominent voice for Muslims and a luminous gem of Lebanon. His voices must be respected. Although he is no longer with us, his path and resonating voice remain among us and will continue to endure. He was a courageous advocate for the oppressed.' The scope of his popularity and influence reached beyond Lebanon, making its mark in Iran and other Arab countries, a legacy that his martyrdom will only enhance further.
Hassan Nasrallah's life tragically ended due to suffocation from toxic fumes. He had been in hiding within Hezbollah’s secret bunker in Beirut, where an Israeli onslaught on September 27 claimed his life. Israeli Channel 12 reported that Nasrallah’s clandestine bunker was obliterated in the assault, resulting in the 64-year-old’s demise from the inhalation of poisonous smoke.
The report elucidated that the toxic fumes from the massive explosions made breathing inside the bunker extremely difficult. Notably, Hezbollah's location received a barrage of 80-85 bunker buster bombs from Israel, designed to annihilate deeply buried bunkers. These bombs are infamous for their devastating penetration, breaching thick steel and concrete barriers to unleash destruction well below the surface.
The building where Nasrallah was concealed suffered a bombardment that created a 30-foot deep crater. The GBU-72 bunker busters were distinctively capable of piercing 30 to 60 feet deep, demolishing heavily fortified underground sanctuaries.
According to media reports, when Nasrallah's body was recovered from the site, his remains bore no visible external injuries.
Related Article: The Impact of Bunker Busters
