Mona Khalil spent 25 years safeguarding endangered sea turtles along a beach near her guesthouse in Tyre, Lebanon. Each summer, these turtles laid their eggs on the shore, and Khalil’s efforts ensured that both the eggs and hatchlings remained protected as they made their way to the Mediterranean Sea.
Her work gained recognition from conservationists, lauding her ability to unite differing parties to support the turtles’ cause. Despite the challenges of recurring conflicts in southern Lebanon, Khalil stayed committed to her mission.
On June 4, Khalil became a victim of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon injured her, and she succumbed to her injuries at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Her friend, Fadia Jomaa, disclosed her passing.
Mona’s sister, Amal Khalil, described her as a “well-rounded person — extremely tough, extremely kind.” Amal expressed her anger, saying, “Inside, I am angry.”
The recent escalation in fighting between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran, has claimed over 4,000 lives. This conflict threatens the peace agreement between the United States and Iran.
Mona Khalil was born to Lebanese parents in Lagos, Nigeria. She later moved to the Netherlands, where she worked as a porcelain restorer for over ten years before returning to Lebanon.
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