A Lebanese conservationist dedicated to protecting endangered sea turtles has been killed in an Israeli air strike on southern Lebanon, sources confirm. The victim, identified as 48-year-old Rami al-Masri, was working at a turtle nesting site near Tyre when the strike hit early Monday morning. British environmental groups have condemned the attack, calling it a 'senseless escalation' in the ongoing conflict.
al-Masri was a well-known figure in the small community of conservationists monitoring the critically endangered loggerhead and green turtles along Lebanon's coastline. His death marks the first known casualty among environmental activists in the region amid the recent surge in hostilities. 'He was protecting nature, not taking sides,' said a colleague who spoke on condition of anonymity.
'This is the same strip of beach where we have been tracking turtle nests for years. It's now a war zone.' The Israeli military has not commented on the specific strike, but has previously stated that operations target Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.
British conservation charities, including the Marine Conservation Society and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, have issued statements urging both sides to protect environmental workers and habitats. 'We are devastated by this loss,' read a joint statement. 'Conservation is not a political act, but the killing of a conservationist is a political tragedy.
' The incident has sparked renewed calls for a ceasefire, with environmentalists arguing that the destruction of natural habitats and the killing of those who protect them constitute a separate but grave violation of human and ecological rights. al-Masri's body was recovered by rescue workers hours after the strike. His family has requested privacy.
Meanwhile, the turtle nesting season continues, but the beach where he worked now lies empty.