A prominent Lebanese marine biologist and turtle conservationist was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, triggering condemnation from environmental groups and calls for an independent investigation. The strike, which occurred in the coastal town of Naqoura, also destroyed a nearby sea turtle nesting site that the scientist had worked for years to protect.
The victim, identified as 42-year-old Dr. Layla Hamdan, was a respected figure in Mediterranean conservation circles and had been tracking and rehabilitating loggerhead and green turtles along Lebanon's shoreline since 2008. She was killed when a missile struck her vehicle as she was returning from a field survey, according to Lebanese security officials.
The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted a militant cell operating in the area, but did not provide evidence of any armed presence at the site. A spokesperson said the incident was under review, but declined to comment on the civilian casualties.
The killing has drawn sharp criticism from international environmental organizations including the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, who have called for a full and transparent investigation. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, expressed deep regret over the loss of life and urged all parties to protect civilians and the natural environment.
Dr. Hamdan's work had become increasingly difficult due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has seen repeated exchanges of fire along the border. The sea turtle nesting sites she monitored were located in a buffer zone that has become a frequent flashpoint. Colleagues said she had recently appealed for a temporary truce to allow her to relocate nests in danger of being shelled.
Her death has sparked outrage on social media, with many pointing to the broader toll of the conflict on Lebanon's fragile ecosystems. The country's environment minister condemned the killing as a serious violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on civilians and their property.
The incident is likely to further strain relations between Israel and Lebanon, as well as between Israel and the international community, which has grown increasingly critical of the rising number of civilian casualties in the conflict.