A Lebanese environmental activist known for his work protecting endangered sea turtles was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli air strike on the southern town of Naqoura. The death of Mohammed Khaled al-Saleh, 48, has drawn sharp criticism from conservation groups and human rights organisations.
Al-Saleh had been a prominent figure in marine conservation efforts along the Lebanese coast for more than two decades. He was working with a team monitoring nesting sites for the endangered loggerhead and green turtles when the strike hit. The attack also injured two other conservation workers, one critically.
The incident occurred amid an escalation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces along the border. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure but provided no comment on the death of the conservationist.
Human Rights Watch called for an independent investigation into the attack. “The killing of a civilian engaged in peaceful environmental work should be met with full accountability,” said Lama Fakih, the group’s Lebanon director.
The Lebanese government condemned the strike as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law”. In a statement, the foreign ministry said it would raise the matter before the United Nations Security Council.
Local conservationists have described al-Saleh as a tireless advocate for Lebanon’s natural heritage. “He dedicated his life to protecting these turtles. His death is a loss for all of us, for the environment and for peace,” said Hiba Al Jundi, a colleague from the Lebanese Society for the Protection of Nature.
The attack is likely to further inflame tensions in a region already on edge. International observers have warned that the cross-border strikes threaten a broader conflagration between Israel and Hezbollah, which last fought a month-long war in 2006.
Al-Saleh’s body was recovered from the rubble of a small research station. His family has called for an end to the violence, but say they will continue his work. “The turtles are innocent. The sea does not know borders,” his brother said at a press conference.