Tyre, Lebanon — June 19, 2026 – Lebanese marine ecologist and renowned turtle advocate Mona Khalil passed away on June 19, 2026, at the age of 77, after suffering critical injuries from an Israeli airstrike that struck her home near Tyre. Khalil’s life-long dedication to the protection of sea turtles along Lebanon’s southern coast left an indelible mark on environmental conservation efforts in the region.
The airstrike, which occurred on June 5, 2026, caused extensive damage to Khalil’s home and left her with wounds that ultimately proved fatal. Despite the ongoing conflict, Khalil remained committed to her cause, working tirelessly to safeguard the nesting sites of endangered loggerhead and green sea turtles, which are threatened by coastal development, plastic pollution, fishing nets, and light pollution. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1949, Khalil’s passion for marine life was ignited by a chance encounter with a turtle in 1999.
She dedicated decades to the conservation of these species, establishing the Orange House eco — tourism project and advocating for wildlife protection and the cleanup of Lebanon’s coastline. Her death has been mourned by the environmental community and beyond, with tributes highlighting her unwavering dedication to her cause. Khalil’s legacy as a conservationist continues to inspire, and her work in marine turtle conservation will long be remembered and celebrated.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: Al Jazeera Staff
