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Aussie campaigners held in Israeli custody have described enduring what they call “degrading and humiliating treatment” after their arrest aboard a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza.

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

Health Concerns and Detention Conditions

A second participant, Lamont, expressed grave fear about her health, saying she was at risk of stroke after her prescription drugs were seized by Israeli security forces.

She portrayed the detention facility as “oppressive” and noted that her request for additional drugs had not been fulfilled.

The two activists are among a group of Aussies verified by Australian officials to have been taken into custody in Israel.

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

Allegations of Unsafe Facilities

The activists are being held in a maximum-security facility in the desert region and allege that they and fellow inmates were offered water that was undrinkable due to a foul odor.

He told Australian officials that he had been kept in a cage with 80 other people without food or water, while being exposed to abuse from authorities.

She reported that upon reaching Ketziot prison, she was escorted to a room with female detainees and insulted by guards, who called them “militants”.

Arrest and Treatment Information

The care worker, in his forties, and Lamont, 54 years old, were arrested on Thursday when their vessels were stopped by the Israeli navy.

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

Australian representatives visited the Aussie detainees on Friday.

According to a report seen by sources, he described “abusive and insulting behavior” after being taken to the port of Ashdod.

He stated that his morale was low due to sleep deprivation techniques and physical intimidation from Israeli prison guards.

Relatives Worries and Medical Issues

McEwen’s parent, Jacinta, a healthcare professional, said she had been contacting Dfat for daily updates and was concerned about the “full-on” 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 return was being hindered because he refused to sign a form acknowledging he had entered Israel illegally.

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

McEwen also told officials that authorities had destroyed pages of his travel document because it was microchipped.

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

Differences in Arrest Experiences

Although he stated his arrest on board the Mia Mia was carried out with minimal force, she – travelling on a different ship – described a “demeaning” experience.

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

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

Detention Environment and Medical Effects

Both are being held in Ketziot prison, which is mainly utilized to hold inmates, many of whom authorities alleges of engaging in unlawful acts.

After consular staff visited Lamont, they observed she was “emotionally distressed”, weeping repeatedly during the visit.

The parent was described as feeling dehydrated, weak, dizzy, and confused.

Lamont mentioned a guard had informed her that tap water was contaminated, and she feared her lack of fluids was exacerbating her hypertension.

On the day of her detainment, after her daily medication was confiscated, she stated a doctor – after measuring her blood pressure – had given her a single tablet of drugs.

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

Her appeal to consult a physician had received no response.

Global and Relative Reactions

A spokesperson for Global Movement to Gaza Australia expressed fear that her acquaintance was at risk of dying without access to medication.

The mother of another detained Australian, her daughter, said she had obtained a update from Australian officials giving a summary of their inspection to Ketziot prison.

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

She was also left in a open area in the heat for several hours with no protection, food or water.

She further described a tap with contaminated water, meaning she had consumed minimal fluids in an extended period.

Government Statements

Australian authorities responded to questions with a statement that said the Australian government 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 continued.

Sources reached out to Israel’s prison service, the Israel Defense Forces, the foreign office, and the Israeli embassy in Australia, but no one replied to a query.