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Australian activists held in Israeli custody have described enduring what they call “demeaning and insulting conditions” following their arrest aboard a humanitarian convoy transporting aid to Gaza.

One detainee, Surya McEwen, stated he was slapped and experienced a shoulder injury and had his head slammed into the ground.

Medical Worries and Prison Conditions

Another participant, Juliet Lamont, expressed grave fear about her well-being, saying she was at danger of a medical emergency after her daily medication were confiscated by Israeli security forces.

She described the prison environment as “dystopian” and added that her appeal for additional drugs had not been fulfilled.

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

Officials mentioned they are offering support to the individuals, including through in-person visits.

Claims of Unsafe Facilities

The activists are being held in a high-security prison in the Negev desert and allege that they and other detainees were offered water that was contaminated due to a foul odor.

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

She reported that upon arriving Ketziot prison, she was escorted to a room with other women and berated by officials, who called them “militants”.

Arrest and Handling Details

McEwen, in his forties, and Lamont, 54 years old, were arrested on last week when their Gaza-bound ships were stopped by the naval forces.

They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla comprising 42 vessels and more than 450 people, including lawmakers, lawyers, and campaigners.

Australian representatives met with the Aussie detainees on the following day.

Based on a account reviewed by media outlets, McEwen described “degrading and humiliating treatment” after being taken to the port of Ashdod.

He stated that his spirits was poor due to restriction of rest and threatening conduct from Israeli prison guards.

Family Concerns and Medical Problems

McEwen’s parent, Jacinta, a healthcare professional, said she had been contacting Dfat for daily updates and was worried about the “intense” situation her son was experiencing.

“I am concerned about his dislocated shoulder, head injury, and lack of medical attention,” she stated.

She believed her son’s deportation was being hindered because he declined to sign a document acknowledging he had breached immigration laws.

The convoy argues it was illegally intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters.

He also informed officials that Israeli soldiers had torn up pages of his passport because it was microchipped.

Both individuals discarded their mobile devices into the sea before their capture.

Variations in Detainment Accounts

While he said his detainment on board the Mia Mia was executed with minimal force, Lamont – sailing on a separate boat – described a “humiliating” experience.

Lamont alleged her hands were zip-tied behind her back, she was targeted with a water cannon, and was made to sit in an unventilated area with her hands restrained and clothes drenched for seven hours.

During this time, she reported her head was forcibly pushed by officials.

Detention Conditions and Medical Impact

Both are being held in Ketziot prison, which is primarily used to detain inmates, many of whom Israel accuses of engaging in unlawful acts.

After consular staff visited Lamont, they observed she was “deeply upset”, weeping repeatedly during the meeting.

The mother of two was reported as feeling thirsty, weak, dizzy, and confused.

Lamont said a official had warned her that water from taps was contaminated, and she feared her dehydration was worsening her high blood pressure.

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

But after representatives visited her, they reported she was feeling weak, confused, and tired, and concerned she was at risk of a health crisis.

Her appeal to consult a physician had gone unanswered.

Global and Relative Responses

A representative for Global Movement to Gaza Australia expressed concern that her friend was at danger of dying without access to medication.

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

She described that her daughter had been exposed to abuse, humiliation, intimidation, and was physically handled and shoved.

She was also placed in a courtyard in the heat for several hours with no shade, sustenance.

She added a tap with unclean liquid, meaning she had drunk no or little water in an extended period.

Government Statements

Dfat responded to inquiries with a statement that said the authorities had “expressed to Israeli officials the need for detainees to be treated humanely according to global standards”.

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

Media outlets reached out to detention authorities, the military, the Israeli ministry for foreign affairs, and the Israeli embassy in Australia, but no one responded to a query.