Gaza flotilla raid: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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The IDF identified a group of some 50 men who were responsible for attacking IDF soldiers. The members of this group were not carrying identity cards or passports, but each carried an envelope with some $10,000 in cash. The Israeli defense establishment suspected that the funding may have come from elements in the Turkish government. One member of the group, who was identified as its ringleader, travelled to [[Bursa]] to recruit members. The members were stationed in groups throughout the ship, mostly on the upper deck, and communicated with each other via walkie-talkies. The members were well-trained and equipped with gas masks and bulletproof vests.<ref name="mercenaries">{{cite news |last=Efune |first=Dovid |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=177452 |title=IDF: Mercenaries to blame for violence |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref>

The ''Mavi MaramaraMarmara'' activists were divided into two groups, "peace activists" and a "hardcore group".{{sfn|UN Palmer Report|2011|p=30}}<ref name="hardcore"/> Video footage shows the "hardcore group" activists prepared before the raid, praying together while wearing uniforms, taking their gas masks and makeshift weapons, and getting into position.{{CN|date=April 2023}} Activists dressed in protective clothing from construction materials.{{CN|date=April 2023}}

===''Mavi Marmara'' boarding===