Lebanese turtle conservationist Mona Khalil killed by Israeli strike

Mona Khalil, a Lebanese turtle conservationist, died from injuries sustained in an Israeli strike on a beach in southern Lebanon on June 19, 2024. Khalil had been dedicated to protecting the endangered green sea turtles nesting on the Al-Fanar beach for over 15 years. She had reportedly refused evacuation orders and remained on the beach, which is a critical nesting site, despite escalating conflict in the region. Her death was confirmed by the Lebanese Ministry of Environment and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), an organization she was affiliated with. Khalil's work involved monitoring nests, protecting hatchlings, and advocating for the preservation of the coastal ecosystem. The Al-Fanar beach is recognized as one of the most important nesting sites for green sea turtles in the Mediterranean. Her death highlights the risks faced by environmental activists and the potential impact of conflict on biodiversity.