A Lebanese conservationist, Mona Khalil, known for her work protecting endangered sea turtles on the country’s southern coast, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Thursday. The UK Foreign Office issued a statement expressing deep concern and urging all parties to exercise restraint.
Khalil, 54, was a prominent figure in environmental circles, having led efforts to monitor and safeguard nesting sites of the green and loggerhead turtles along the Tyre coast nature reserve. Colleagues said she had refused to leave the area despite escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah over recent weeks.
According to Lebanese security officials, the strike hit a coastal building near the reserve where Khalil was staying. Medical teams recovered her body from the rubble. No other casualties were reported in the incident.
The UK Foreign Office said in a statement: “We are saddened by the death of Mona Khalil, a dedicated conservationist. We call on all sides to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians. Restraint is paramount to prevent further loss of life.”
The strike comes amid a sharp escalation in cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli officials said the target was a militant command post, though they did not confirm the nature of the location hit. The Israeli military has not commented on Khalil’s death.
Human rights organisations have criticised the rising toll on civilians in southern Lebanon. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on Wednesday that over 100,000 people have been displaced by the recent violence.
Khalil’s work had drawn international recognition. She was a recipient of the UN Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth award in 2022. Environmental groups have expressed shock at her death. The World Wildlife Fund called it “a tragic loss for conservation and for Lebanon”.
The incident underscores the collateral damage of conflict on environmental protection efforts. Conservationists in conflict zones often face heightened risks as they remain in volatile areas to safeguard natural heritage. The Tyre coast reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been a focal point of turtle conservation in the eastern Mediterranean.
Diplomatic channels remain active. The UK, along with France and the US, has urged de-escalation. However, no ceasefire agreement appears imminent. Analysts note that the killing of a prominent civilian figure like Khalil could galvanise further international pressure on both sides.