President Nikos Christodoulides stated that Cyprus was not informed about the Israeli operation against the Gaza-bound flotilla, but the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) is ready to respond if assistance is requested. He was asked if Cyprus had been informed of the operation in international waters and if the Republic was involved. The JRCC had previously stated that the flotilla never entered Cypriot territorial waters. The center said it had received no distress signal. AKEL condemned the Israeli attack. Activists called for a protest. The Global Sumud Flotilla Cyprus said the interception was within Cyprus’s Search and Rescue zone. The JRCC placed the vessels in international waters. Earlier in the day, Israeli navy commandos boarded a vessel. Israel warned participants to turn back. The flotilla set out from Italy with over 50 boats aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. In an earlier interception, Israeli forces halted vessels. Two flotilla leaders were taken to Israel. Israel has dismissed the flotilla as a media stunt. Turkey labeled earlier seizures an “act of piracy,” while Spain called them “illegal” and Germany and Italy expressed “grave concern.” Amnesty International called the interceptions “brazen and unlawful.”