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Australian activists held in Israeli custody have described enduring what they call “degrading and humiliating treatment” following their detainment aboard a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza.

An activist, Surya McEwen, stated he was struck and experienced a shoulder injury and had his head forced into the ground.

Medical Worries and Prison Conditions

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

She portrayed the detention facility as “dystopian” and noted that her request for more medication had not been fulfilled.

The two activists are among seven Australians confirmed by Australian officials to have been taken into custody in Israel.

Officials stated they are offering support to the detainees, including through direct meetings.

Claims of Unsafe Facilities

The activists are being held in a high-security prison in the Negev desert and assert that they and other detainees were given water that was contaminated due to a strong chemical taste.

McEwen told Australian officials that he had been kept in a enclosure with dozens of individuals without food or water, while being exposed to verbal attacks from authorities.

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

Interception and Handling Details

McEwen, in his forties, and the documentary film-maker, in her fifties, were arrested on last week when their vessels were stopped by the Israeli navy.

They were part of the international aid mission involving dozens of boats and hundreds of participants, including parliamentarians, legal experts, and campaigners.

Australian representatives met with the detained Australians on Friday.

Based on a account seen by media outlets, he detailed “abusive and insulting behavior” after being transferred to the port of Ashdod.

He explained that his morale was low due to restriction of rest and physical intimidation from detention staff.

Family Concerns and Medical Issues

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

“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 believed her son’s deportation was being hindered because he declined to sign a document acknowledging he had entered Israel illegally.

The convoy argues it was illegally intercepted by the Israeli navy in open sea.

He also told representatives that Israeli soldiers had destroyed pages of his travel document because it was microchipped.

Both activists threw their mobile devices into the sea before their arrest.

Variations in Arrest Experiences

Although McEwen stated his arrest on board the Mia Mia was executed with minimal force, she – travelling on a different ship – recounted a “demeaning” experience.

She claimed her hands were bound behind her back, she was targeted with a high-pressure hose, and was left to sit in an unventilated area with her hands tied and clothes soaked for an extended period.

During this time, she reported her head was repeatedly shoved down by officials.

Prison Environment and Medical Effects

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

After Australian officials visited Lamont, they noted she was “emotionally distressed”, crying multiple times during the visit.

The parent was reported as feeling dehydrated, weak, dizzy, and disoriented.

Lamont said a official had informed her that tap water was unsafe to drink, and she feared her dehydration was exacerbating her high blood pressure.

On the day of her detainment, after her prescription was confiscated, Lamont stated a doctor – after measuring her vitals – had provided her one dose of drugs.

But after Australian officials saw her, they reported she was feeling weak, disoriented, and tired, and concerned she was at risk of a health crisis.

Her request to consult a physician had gone unanswered.

International and Family Reactions

A representative for the activist group expressed fear that her friend was at danger of dying without necessary drugs.

Julie Webb-Pullman of another detained Australian, her daughter, stated she had received a call from authorities giving a summary of their visit to the facility.

She reported that her daughter had been subjected to mistreatment, humiliation, threats, and was man-handled and shoved.

She was also left in a courtyard in the sun for several hours with no protection, food or water.

She further described a faucet with unclean liquid, meaning she had consumed minimal fluids in days.

Government Statements

Dfat replied to inquiries with a statement that declared the authorities had “made clear to Israel our expectation that detainees will receive humane treatment in line with international norms”.

“We repeat our call on Israel to enable the sustained, unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the statement continued.

Sources contacted detention authorities, the military, the foreign office, and the Israeli embassy in Australia, but no one replied to a query.