Israeli strike kills turtle sanctuary ecologist in south Lebanon, sources say

What happened

The Guardian Lebanon reports that Mona Khalil, a renowned Lebanese marine ecologist and activist, died from wounds sustained in an Israeli airstrike earlier this month on her home and turtle sanctuary near Tyre in southern Lebanon. Khalil, 76, had been transferred to intensive care in Beirut but succumbed to her injuries on Friday, according to friends.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Khalil founded the Orange House Project, a sanctuary dedicated to protecting loggerhead and green sea turtle nesting sites on Lebanon’s southern coast. She welcomed volunteers and tourists to aid with conservation and ecotourism despite repeated Israeli military activity and occupation in the area. Her home has been previously damaged during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

The attack also injured Khalil’s assistant, an Ethiopian woman, who suffered burns but is reportedly recovering. The site had been widely known locally as a center for environmental protection and public awareness, aspects highlighted by Lebanese conservation groups mourning Khalil’s death.

Known from the source

• Mona Khalil died from injuries sustained in an Israeli airstrike on her home and turtle sanctuary in southern Lebanon near Tyre.
• She was 76 years old and was moved to an intensive care unit in Beirut before passing away.
• Her assistant, an Ethiopian woman, was also injured and is recovering.
• Khalil founded the Orange House Project, focused on protecting loggerhead and green sea turtles along the Lebanese coast.
• Her sanctuary had been affected by Israeli military actions in the past, including in 2006.

What remains unclear

Local conservation group Green Southerners condemned the strike as an attack on civilians and environmental defenders, emphasizing the wider impact on Lebanon’s natural heritage. A Beirut-based environmental organization, Live Love Beirut, praised Khalil’s dedication and legacy in marine protection, calling for continuation of her work.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Exact date and circumstances of the airstrike on Khalil’s sanctuary and home. Independent confirmation of casualty figures and details on Khalil’s assistant. Official statements from Lebanese authorities, Israeli military, or UNIFIL regarding the strike.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: The Guardian Lebanon. Open the source.