An Israeli commander who it is claimed was one of the masterminds behind the controversial attack on the Turkish civilian aid ship Mavi Marmara that tried to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza in 2010 is among those killed in the Hamas attack on Israel.
Lieutenant Colonel Eli Ginsburg, 42, was an officer in the LOTAR counter-terrorism special forces. Previously, he had been an officer in the 13th Squadron special operations unit and is said to have masterminded the 2010 raid on the vessel, according to Turkish media.
The Israeli Navy’s 13th Squadron is among the most classified units in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and has reportedly participated in every conflict involving the country.
Ginsburg was reportedly killed in an encounter with the Hamas group when he jumped into combat in the Gaza Strip.
He had retired from the army about two weeks ago and was planning to start his new life, according to local media.
An unnamed colleague told local media: “Eli was a decorated officer. He participated in the Marmara operation and in countless other operational operations of the fleet.
The humanitarian ship Mavi Marmara was raided in 2010, resulting in the deaths of 10 of its passengers, nine of whom were Turkish citizens, according to Turkish media, which has also claimed that Ginsburg was even one of the masterminds behind the operation.
The Mavi Marmara had sailed from Turkey to the Gaza Strip in an attempt to break the blockade imposed by Israel on the Palestinian territory.
But Israeli forces boarded the civilian ship on 31st May 2010 in international waters.
After being lowered onto the vessel by helicopter and boarding it with speedboats, they allegedly opened fire on its crew.
According to Turkish media, an investigation showed that 250 bullets had been fired by Israeli forces on the ship.
Ginsburg’s colleague also said: “Eli was released from the army just in the last few weeks and planned to go on a joint family trip to Thailand.”
He is survived by his wife and four children.
