In brief
Mona Khalil, the beloved Lebanese environmentalist who championed protection of endangered sea turtles along the southern coast, succumbed to injuries sustained during an Israeli strike two weeks ago. The 76‑year‑old spent decades fighting for marine conservation and has been described as a ‘deeply committed environmental defender.’ Her death comes amid intensified Israeli air attacks in southern Lebanon, raising alarms about renewed violence in the fragile region. Khalil’s legacy, built through the Orange House Project and decades of field work, continues to inspire new generations of conservationists.
The death of Mona Khalil, a 76‑year‑old environmental activist from Lebanon, has shocked the conservation community. At a hospital in southern Lebanon, Khalil passed away after being wounded when her house on Mansouri beach was struck by an Israeli air raid two weeks earlier.
Khalil’s life was dedicated to protecting endangered loggerhead and green sea turtles that nest along Lebanon’s southern coast. She began her work after witnessing a turtle laying eggs in 1999, a moment that steered her to return permanently from the Netherlands and establish the Orange House Project in 2000—a hub for eco‑tourism, wildlife protection, and marine research.
Her efforts secured protected status for sections of the coastline and raised awareness of pollution, over‑fishing, and coastal development. Friends and colleagues described her as “deeply committed” and noted her unwavering dedication, even after her home was damaged during the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Israeli air strikes that killed Khalil intensified in southern Lebanon, raising concerns over a resurgence of violence. Local activists say the attacks marked a shift from the relative ceasefire that had held for years. While the BBC has reached out for a response from the Israeli military, international groups have called on all parties to protect civilians and wildlife.
“She was a deeply committed environmental defender,” said Hisham Younes, founder and president of Green Southerners. “She used to talk about the beach like it was a person—her bond to the sunset, the water, the turtles.”
Khalil’s legacy extends beyond her direct conservation work. She inspired volunteers, visitors, and future generations of turtle advocates. Paul Abi Rached, president of Terre Liban, recounted taking children to watch her release baby turtles, noting her love for both nature and people.
“Her greatest legacy is that she did not only protect turtles; she inspired people to care about them,” Kebrew said. Khalil’s dedication will continue to shape the movement she helped build and the marine life she protected for decades.
