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Turtle Protector Dies After Israeli Attack
22 Jun
Summary
- Conservationist Mona Khalil died from wounds sustained in an Israeli strike.
- Khalil dedicated over two decades to protecting sea turtles in Lebanon.
- Her home, the Orange House Project, was a sanctuary for endangered turtles.
Mona Khalil, a renowned Lebanese conservationist, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2026, from injuries inflicted by an Israeli strike on her home in al-Mansouri on June 4, 2026. Khalil, who held dual Dutch and Lebanese citizenship, dedicated more than two decades of her life to the protection of sea turtles along Lebanon's southern coastline.
Her home in al-Mansouri, known as the Orange House Project, served as a critical hub for conservation efforts and ecotourism. This sanctuary provided refuge for endangered loggerhead and green sea turtles and offered training for volunteers documenting nesting activities. Khalil's passion was ignited in 1999 by an encounter with a turtle on al-Mansouri beach, inspiring her lifelong commitment.
During the previous conflict in 2024, Khalil famously refused to evacuate al-Mansouri beach until persuaded by the Lebanese army. Her dedication to the coast was so profound that she often spoke of her soul remaining there, longing to return even while recuperating in Beirut. Her burial plans remain uncertain due to the ongoing security situation in the region.
