Mona Khalil, a 48-year-old conservationist who dedicated her life to protecting endangered sea turtles along Lebanon’s coast, has been killed in an Israeli airstrike. The attack, which occurred on Wednesday near the southern city of Tyre, also wounded two of her colleagues. Britain has called for a thorough investigation into the incident, which has drawn condemnation from environmental groups and human rights organisations alike.
Khalil worked for the local NGO Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, known for its efforts to safeguard nesting sites and rehabilitate injured turtles. Her death has sent shockwaves through the conservation community, with colleagues describing her as a “warrior for nature” who worked tirelessly despite years of political turmoil and conflict. The strike hit a small research station where Khalil and her team were monitoring loggerhead and green turtle nests.
No military targets were in the immediate vicinity, according to witnesses. The Israeli military has not commented on the specific incident but has stated that it targets only militant infrastructure. The UK Foreign Office expressed “deep concern” and urged restraint, calling for a transparent inquiry.
For those who knew her, Khalil’s death is a stark reminder of the human cost of a conflict that spares neither people nor the environment. Her work, often carried out in the shadows of war, has left a lasting legacy on Lebanon’s fragile coastline.