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Aussie campaigners held in Israeli custody have reported experiencing what they call “degrading and humiliating treatment” following their arrest onboard a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza.

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

Health Worries and Detention Conditions

Another activist, Juliet Lamont, expressed serious concern about her well-being, saying she was at danger of stroke after her prescription drugs were seized by authorities.

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

McEwen and Lamont are among seven Australians verified by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to have been detained in Israel.

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

Allegations of Poor Facilities

They are being detained in a high-security prison in the Negev desert and assert that they and fellow inmates were given water that was undrinkable due to a foul odor.

McEwen told consular staff that he had been held in a cage with 80 other people without food or water, while being exposed to verbal attacks from Israeli officials.

Lamont reported that upon reaching the detention center, she was taken to a room with female detainees and berated by guards, who called them “terrorists”.

Arrest and Treatment Information

McEwen, aged 40, and the documentary film-maker, in her fifties, were detained on Thursday when their vessels were intercepted by the naval forces.

They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla comprising 42 vessels and hundreds of participants, including lawmakers, lawyers, and activists.

Australian representatives met with the detained Australians on Friday.

According to a report reviewed by sources, McEwen described “degrading and humiliating treatment” after being transferred to the port of Ashdod.

He stated that his spirits was low due to sleep deprivation techniques and physical intimidation from detention staff.

Family Concerns and Medical Issues

His mother, Jacinta McEwen, a healthcare professional, said she had been contacting authorities for regular information and was concerned about the “full-on” conditions 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.

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

The convoy maintains it was illegally intercepted by the naval forces in open sea.

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

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

Variations in Arrest Accounts

Although McEwen stated his arrest on board the Mia Mia was executed with minimal force, Lamont – sailing on a different ship – recounted a “humiliating” ordeal.

Lamont alleged her hands were bound behind her back, she was sprayed with a high-pressure hose, and was left to sit in an unventilated area with her hands restrained and clothes soaked for an extended period.

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

Detention Conditions and Medical Impact

Both are being detained in the facility, which is primarily used to detain inmates, many of whom authorities alleges of involvement in militant or terrorist activities.

After consular staff met with Lamont, they observed she was “deeply upset”, crying multiple times during the meeting.

The mother of two was described as feeling thirsty, feeble, dizzy, and confused.

She mentioned a official had informed her that tap water was unsafe to drink, and she believed her dehydration was worsening her hypertension.

On the day of her arrest, after her daily medication was confiscated, Lamont explained a physician – after checking her vitals – had provided her a single tablet of drugs.

But after Australian officials saw her, they noted 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 Responses

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

The mother of another detained Australian, Bianca Webb-Pullman, said she had obtained a update from Australian officials giving a summary of their visit to Ketziot prison.

She reported that her daughter had been exposed to abuse, humiliation, intimidation, and was man-handled and pushed.

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

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

Government Statements

Australian authorities responded to inquiries with a statement 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 added.

Media outlets contacted detention authorities, the military, the foreign office, and the Israeli embassy in Australia, but none replied to a request for comment.