Lebanon sea turtle conservationist Mona Khalil dies after wounds from Israeli strike

Mourners gathered in Beirut on Sunday to honour Lebanese conservationist Mona Khalil. Mona Khalil died on Friday after injuries from an Israeli strike. The strike hit Mona Khalil’s home in Mansouri, on Lebanon’s southern coast. Mona Khalil was 76 and was known for sea turtle protection.

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Mona Khalil spent over two decades guarding nesting sites along Lebanon’s shoreline. Mona Khalil helped develop the Orange House into a conservation centre. The site also supported eco-tourism in Mansouri. Over the years, volunteers tracked nests and protected hatchlings. News of Mona Khalil’s death prompted grief among environmental workers and past volunteers.

Israeli strike and Mona Khalil’s final weeks

An Israeli strike hit Mona Khalil’s home on June 4. Mona Khalil and a domestic worker were taken to hospital. The intended target of the strike was not clear. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mona Khalil seemed to improve after surgery, but died two weeks later.

Another Israel-Hezbollah war erupted in March. Hezbollah fired across the border into Israel on March 2. This came two days after Israel and the US attacked its ally, Iran. Against that background, Mona Khalil chose to stay in Lebanon. Mona Khalil held Dutch and Lebanese citizenship after living in the Netherlands.

Orange House sea turtle conservation and volunteers

Journalist and environmental activist Fadia Jomaa met Mona Khalil in 2016. Fadia Jomaa was researching sea turtles in Lebanon at the time. Fadia Jomaa later joined the Orange House work as a volunteer. "For the volunteers, this relationship didnt stop at being a volunteering relationship – Mona became our mother,\" Jomaa said.

Fadia Jomaa became one of Mona Khalil’s closest partners on the project. Fadia Jomaa later helped manage the conservation work with Mona Khalil. Fadia Jomaa also brought children to volunteer at the beach. The work included guarding nests and helping hatchlings reach the sea on Lebanon’s southern coast.

Mona Khalil’s work centred on Al-Mansouri beach in Tyre province. Each nesting season, teams patrolled at night and noted tracks. Volunteers moved exposed nests away from crowds and strong lights. The Orange House sheltered loggerhead and green sea turtles. It also trained volunteers to record nesting activity along the coast.

Sea turtle hatchling viewings and local eco-tourism

The Orange House also ran as a small beachfront bed-and-breakfast. During summer nesting season, Mona Khalil arranged hatchling viewings for visitors. Many families brought children to watch hatchlings emerge. These viewings often happened at sunset. Volunteers led groups to protected nests and watched hatchlings move towards the sea.

During the previous war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in 2024, Mona Khalil resisted leaving. Fadia Jomaa said Mona Khalil first refused to leave Al-Mansouri beach. The Lebanese army later persuaded Mona Khalil to evacuate. \"She was the last one to leave the area,\" Jomaa said.

Fadia Jomaa said Mona Khalil struggled during time away in Beirut. Fadia Jomaa said Mona Khalil wanted to return to the south. The focus was the Orange House and the beach. \"She said I am a civilian, I have no weapons, I will shut my door,\" Jomaa said. Mona Khalil would not leave home again.

Tributes for Mona Khalil and Lebanon’s natural heritage

Former volunteer Johnny Baaklini described Mona Khalil’s death as a major blow. \"It is a great loss for conservation, for the country, and for all of us who cared about the sea and the natural heritage of Lebanon,\" Baaklini said. Baaklini said Mona Khalil treated conservation advocates like family and encouraged young naturalists.

Baaklini also spoke about Mona Khalil’s personal influence on volunteers. \"It feels impossible to describe the impact Mona personally had on me and on so many other young naturalists,\" Baaklini said. Many volunteers said Mona Khalil created a supportive home at the Orange House. The centre linked community life with protection efforts.

Fadia Jomaa recalled that Mona Khalil spoke often about belonging to the coastline. \"She used to say, My soul will stay here,\" Jomaa said. Fadia Jomaa said Mona Khalil would point to an olive tree or a hill. \"She used to say, This is where you will bury me,\" Jomaa said.

Where Mona Khalil will be buried remains uncertain, Fadia Jomaa said. The burial plan depends on the security situation near Mansouri and Al-Mansouri beach. For many supporters, Mona Khalil’s work remains tied to the Orange House. Volunteers said the coastline work will stay important as threats continue for nesting turtles.

With inputs from PTI