Mona Khalil, 76, Dies From Injuries in Israeli Airstrike
"A voice for the turtles, silenced by war." The conservationist’s death has sparked grief across Lebanon and the international environmental community.
Incident and Aftermath
The airstrike struck the "Orange House," a conservation hub located near al-Mansouri beach, close to the city of Tyre. Khalil was critically injured in the strike on June 4 and succumbed to her injuries on June 21, 2025. Her Ethiopian housekeeper was also wounded in the attack but sustained less severe injuries.
The Israeli military stated it had "no indication" of hitting the house and is currently reviewing its records. The environmental group Green Southerners has called for accountability regarding civilian deaths in the conflict.
Conservation Work
For over two decades, Khalil led a tireless effort to protect endangered green sea and loggerhead turtles, as well as the Mediterranean coastline. She founded the Orange House Project, which served as both a conservation hub and an educational ecotourism guesthouse.
Her hands-on work included:
- Training volunteers to monitor nesting sites.
- Protecting nests with wire mesh from predators and human interference.
- Guiding hatchlings safely to the sea.
Her efforts led to the official recognition of a community-based conservation area. Khalil was also a vocal opponent of beach privatization, coastal development, and dynamite fishing, which threatened marine life.
Background and Final Wishes
Khalil’s journey in conservation began around 1999 after she encountered a nesting sea turtle on al-Mansouri beach. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1949, she held both Dutch and Lebanese citizenship and lived in the Netherlands before returning to Lebanon.
Journalist and environmental activist Fadia Jomaa, who volunteered with Khalil, reported that during the 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah, Khalil initially refused to leave al-Mansouri beach until persuaded by the Lebanese army. Jomaa stated that Khalil expressed a desire to be buried at the site, but the burial location remains uncertain due to ongoing security conditions.
Mourners gathered for a memorial in Beirut on June 22 to honor her legacy.
Broader Conflict Context
The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2. The Lebanese health ministry reports over 4,000 deaths, including at least 600 women and children. Israel reports 35 soldiers, one military contractor, and two civilians killed in Hezbollah attacks.