Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah (Photo: VNA)

Tens of thousands protested in Iranian cities and in the Yemeni capital on Friday to condemn Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza. In Iran, Yemen and Syria, many mass protests with thousands of participants broke out to express outrage over the assassination of Hezbollah leader.

Iran’s supreme leader has said the death of Hassan Nasrallah "will not go unavenged", a day after he was killed in an Israeli air strike in Lebanon. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced five days of mourning in Iran in response to what he called the "martyrdom of the great Nasrallah", describing him as "a path and a school of thought" that would continue. Iran's Foreign Ministry and several senior officials have expressed condolences, praising Nasrallah as a "symbol of the fight against oppression."

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani condemned on Saturday the Israeli killing of the Hezbollah chief as a “crime” and calling Nasrallah “a martyr on the path of the righteous.” The Iraqi leader declared three days of national mourning.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel for carrying out a “genocide” in Lebanon, saying his country will continue to stand with the Lebanese people and government during these difficult times. He called on global organizations, particularly the UN Security Council and human rights groups, to take swift action in response to Israel’s aggression. He also urged the Islamic world to adopt a “firmer stance”.

Hamas and Houthi forces have expressed their condolences over the death of the Hezbollah leader, condemned Israel's aggression, and said that Israel's airstrikes on residential areas in Lebanon were acts of terrorism and massacre.  

Meanwhile, the French Foreign Ministry said it was in contact with the Lebanese authorities and regional partners to avoid  escalation.