Key takeaways:

• Hezbollah's long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah's funeral is scheduled for February 23.
• He was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike on September 27.
• The funeral will also honor Hashem Safieddine, seen as Nasrallah’s successor, who was killed in October.
• The event follows a recent ceasefire agreement extension in the region.
• Protests continue against Israeli presence in southern Lebanon.

The funeral for Hassan Nasrallah, the long-standing leader of Hezbollah who was killed in an Israeli strike, is set to take place on February 23. The announcement was made by current Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem during a televised address. The group previously faced substantial challenges in arranging a proper ceremony due to ongoing hostilities, which prompted a temporary burial for Nasrallah following his assassination on September 27 due to Israeli airstrikes targeting his location in southern Beirut. This delayed the opportunity for a grand public funeral, according to Le Monde.

In his address, Qassem also revealed that Hashem Safieddine, who had been designated as Nasrallah's successor, was assassinated shortly after Nasrallah's death. The February 23 ceremony will thus honor both leaders, with Nasrallah to be interred on the outskirts of Beirut and Safieddine in his hometown of Deir Qanun, all occurring amid heightened tensions with Israeli forces, which remain present in southern Lebanon.

Despite a US-brokered ceasefire that recently had its deadline extended to February 18, conflict continues to simmer, especially with Hezbollah militants engaging in protests against Israeli occupation in southern regions. Inspired by Hezbollah's leadership, local uprisings have made headlines in response to the perceived encroachment by Israeli troops. Qassem emphasized the region's resolve, stating, “The South says that there is no possibility for Israel to remain in it.” He stressed that the sacrifices made by the population would ultimately contribute to the liberation efforts against Israel, as captured in statements reported by AP News and South China Morning Post.

The combined funeral for both prominent figures is seen as a significant event for Hezbollah, reflecting the group's ongoing resilience and commitment amidst turbulent times in the region.