Mourners gathered in Beirut on June 22, 2026, to pay their respects to Mona Khalil, a 77-year-old Lebanese conservationist who died from wounds caused by an Israeli strike on her home in the country's southern coast. Khalil, known for her decades-long work protecting Lebanon's natural heritage, was buried in a ceremony attended by family, friends, and environmental activists.
According to local reports, the strike occurred on June 20, 2026, in the coastal town of Naqoura, near the Israeli border. Khalil was critically injured and later succumbed to her wounds. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident, which is part of ongoing cross-border tensions.
Khalil was a founding member of the Lebanese Environment Forum and had been instrumental in establishing nature reserves along the coast. Her work included campaigns to protect sea turtles and migratory birds. Colleagues described her as a tireless advocate for Lebanon's biodiversity.
The Lebanese government condemned the strike, calling it a violation of international law. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said it was investigating the incident. No further details have been confirmed.
