Mona Khalil, Lebanon’s turtle advocate, dies after Israeli attack

Khalil spent more than two decades protecting the nests of endangered turtle species in southern Lebanon.Lebanese marine ecologist Mona Khalil, who was severely wounded after an Israeli strike hit her home near Tyre last week, has died, according to local reports.Khalil, 77, succumbed to her wounds on Friday, the same day Israel escalated air attacks on southern Lebanon, killing at least 50 people and injuring dozens despite the risk posed to a fragile peace deal between Iran and the United States.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4‘Destruction is the goal’: Israel steers between the US, Iran, and Lebanonlist 2 of 4Israeli air strikes hit Lebanon minutes after new ceasefirelist 3 of 4As Lebanon tests US-Iran deal, Trump must rein in Netanyahu, analysts saylist 4 of 4Israel continues attacks on Lebanon despite agreeing to ceasefireend of list“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Mona Khalil today,” environmental group Tyre" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="149503" data-entity-type="organization">Live Love Tyre said in a Facebook statement on Friday.“She will be remembered through an incredible legacy. Through it all, Mona chose to stay and care for the turtles of Tyre" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="149503" data-entity-type="organization">Live Love Tyre. Her life was selfless and impactful.”A life of impactKhalil was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1949. She spent several years abroad before moving to southern Lebanon.A fleeting encounter with a turtle which had emerged from the ocean to lay its eggs on al-Mansouri beach near Tyre in 1999 propelled her on a lifelong journey devoted to animals.She went on to dedicate decades to protecting the nesting sites of endangered loggerhead and green sea turtles on Lebanon’s southern coast.Both species are highly threatened by coastal development, plastic pollution, fishing nets, and light pollution and are at risk of becoming extinct in the eastern Mediterranean.In 2000, Khalil helped establish the Orange House, an eco-tourism project situated at al-Mansouri beach. She also helped document marine life in southern Lebanon and advocated for wildlife and against the pollution of Lebanon’s coastline.