Hezbollah leader killed in airstrike laid to rest in southern Lebanon

Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine was buried in his hometown in southern Lebanon after being killed in an Israeli airstrike shortly after taking office. His predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, was buried a day earlier in Beirut. Safieddine's death occurred during the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah war, which began after a Hamas attack in October 2023. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 4,000 dead in Lebanon. Following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on November 27, Israel withdrew most troops from southern Lebanon but maintains five posts, which Lebanon views as a violation. Hezbollah is expected to have an armed presence along the border.