A Conservationist's Death in Lebanon Marks Loss of Irreplaceable Turtle Protection Work

Mona Khalil, 76, was killed in an Israeli strike on her Beirut home on June 19. For decades, she had patrolled Lebanon's southern coast to protect endangered sea turtle nesting sites—work built on trust with local communities that no institution can quickly rebuild. Her death disrupts monitoring efforts in a region destabilized by repeated conflict.