Cyprus's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) confirmed that the Global Sumud Flotilla did not enter Cypriot territorial waters, with all activity occurring in international waters approximately 90 nautical miles from Cyprus. The JRCC stated that they received no distress signals. The opposition party AKEL condemned the interception and urged the government to denounce the Israeli actions and support unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. AKEL accused Israel of violating international law and criticized the government for its silence. The statements followed calls for a protest outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. Earlier, Israeli navy commandos boarded a vessel from the flotilla. Israel had warned participants to turn back. The flotilla set out from Italy in April with over 50 boats aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. In an earlier interception near Crete on April 30, Israeli forces used various methods, and two flotilla leaders were detained and allegedly tortured. Israel has dismissed the flotilla as a media stunt, while Turkey labeled the seizures an "act of piracy." Amnesty International called the interceptions "brazen and unlawful."