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Aussie campaigners detained in Israeli custody have reported experiencing what they call “degrading and humiliating treatment” after their detainment aboard a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza.

One detainee, McEwen, stated he was slapped and suffered a dislocated arm and had his head forced into the ground.

Medical Concerns and Prison Conditions

A second activist, Juliet Lamont, voiced serious fear about her well-being, saying she was at risk of a medical emergency after her daily medication were seized by Israeli security forces.

She described the prison environment as “oppressive” and noted that her appeal for more medication had not been met.

The two activists are among seven Australians verified by Australian officials to have been detained in Israel.

Officials mentioned they are providing support to the detainees, including through in-person visits.

Allegations of Unsafe Facilities

They are being detained in a maximum-security facility in the Negev desert and assert that they and fellow inmates were given water that was undrinkable due to a strong chemical taste.

He told Australian officials that he had been held in a cage with dozens of individuals without sustenance, while being subjected to verbal attacks from authorities.

Lamont stated that upon arriving Ketziot prison, she was taken to a room with other women and insulted by officials, who called them “terrorists”.

Arrest and Treatment Information

The care worker, aged 40, and Lamont, in her fifties, were detained on last week when their Gaza-bound ships were intercepted by the Israeli navy.

They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla comprising dozens of boats and hundreds of participants, including lawmakers, lawyers, and activists.

Dfat officials met with the Aussie detainees on Friday.

Based on a account seen by media outlets, he described “degrading and humiliating treatment” after being transferred to the port of Ashdod.

He stated that his morale was low due to restriction of rest and physical intimidation from Israeli prison guards.

Family Worries and Medical Problems

His mother, Jacinta McEwen, a healthcare professional, expressed she had been calling Dfat for regular information and was concerned about the “intense” situation her son was facing.

“If he’s got a dislocated shoulder and he’s had a head injury and he hasn’t received any medical aid, I’m worried about that,” she remarked.

McEwen thought her son’s return was being hindered because he declined to sign a document admitting he had entered Israel illegally.

The convoy argues it was wrongfully stopped by the naval forces in international waters.

McEwen also told officials that authorities had destroyed pages of his passport because it was electronically embedded.

Both activists discarded their phones into the sea before their capture.

Differences in Detainment Experiences

While McEwen said his arrest on board the vessel was executed with minimal force, Lamont – travelling on a separate boat – recounted a “humiliating” ordeal.

She claimed her hands were zip-tied behind her back, she was targeted with a water cannon, and was left to sit in an stifling space with her hands tied and clothes soaked for seven hours.

During this time, she said her head was forcibly pushed by Israeli forces.

Detention Environment and Health Impact

Both are being held in the facility, which is mainly utilized to hold Palestinian prisoners, many of whom authorities alleges of involvement in militant or terrorist activities.

After consular staff visited Lamont, they noted she was “deeply upset”, crying multiple times during the visit.

The parent was reported as feeling thirsty, feeble, lightheaded, and confused.

Lamont mentioned a official had informed her that water from taps was unsafe to drink, and she feared her dehydration was worsening her hypertension.

On the day of her detainment, after her prescription was confiscated, Lamont explained a physician – after measuring her vitals – had provided her a single tablet of medication.

But after representatives saw her, they reported she was feeling weak, disoriented, and lethargic, and concerned she was at risk of stroke.

Her appeal to consult a physician had received no response.

International and Family Responses

A representative for Global Movement to Gaza Australia expressed fear that her acquaintance was at danger of succumbing without access to medication.

The mother of another Aussie detainee, Bianca Webb-Pullman, stated she had received a call from Australian officials giving a summary of their visit to the facility.

She described that her daughter had been subjected to mistreatment, degradation, threats, and was physically handled and pushed.

She was also placed in a open area in the heat for five hours with no protection, sustenance.

She added a tap with contaminated water, meaning she had drunk no or little water in days.

Official Responses

Australian authorities replied to questions with a message that declared the Australian government had “made clear to Israel our expectation that detainees will receive humane treatment in line with international norms”.

“We again urge Israel to allow continuous, unrestricted humanitarian aid to reach Gaza,” the statement continued.

Media outlets contacted Israel’s prison service, the Israel Defense Forces, the Israeli ministry for foreign affairs, and the Israeli embassy in Australia, but none replied to a query.