Mona Khalil, a 76‑year‑old lighthouse of marine preservation, died after being wounded in an Israeli air strike that targeted her home on Mansouri beach near Tyre.
Khalil’s work turned the southern Lebanese coast into one of the eastern Mediterranean’s most important nesting sites for endangered green and loggerhead turtles. She began her lifelong mission in 1999 after seeing a turtle lay eggs on the beach, and later established the Orange House Project, an eco‑tourism and conservation initiative that evolved into a sanctuary for turtles and a hub for environmental education.
Despite her house having been damaged during the 2006 war, Khalil refused to leave the beach she had spent decades protecting. She barricaded herself inside, believing she was safe as a civilian, and continued to work on conservation projects amid growing conflict.
Following the strike, Khalil was flown to a hospital where she remained for several days, ultimately succumbing to her injuries. Local environmental groups, including Green Southerners, mourn her passing while recalling her unwavering dedication to turtles and the marine ecosystem.
Khalil’s legacy is seen in the countless turtles that continue to return to Mansouri beach and in the environmental movement she helped create. Friends and colleagues remember her passion for the sea and her deep love for the people who shared her vision.
The incident underscores the fragile peace in southern Lebanon and the risk to civilians during escalating Israeli raids. The BBC has asked the Israeli military for a response to the strike.
