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Aussie campaigners detained in Israel have described experiencing what they call “demeaning and insulting conditions” after their arrest aboard a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza.

One detainee, Surya McEwen, claimed he was struck and experienced a dislocated arm and had his head slammed into the ground.

Medical Concerns and Prison Environment

Another participant, Juliet Lamont, voiced grave fear about her health, saying she was at danger of stroke after her daily medication were seized by authorities.

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

The two activists are among a group of Aussies confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to have been taken into custody in Israel.

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

Allegations of Unsafe Facilities

They are being detained in a maximum-security facility in the desert region and assert that they and fellow inmates were offered water that was undrinkable due to a foul odor.

He informed Australian officials that he had been kept in a cage with 80 other people without sustenance, while being exposed to abuse from Israeli officials.

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

Interception and Handling Details

McEwen, aged 40, and the documentary film-maker, in her fifties, were arrested on last week when their Gaza-bound ships were stopped by the Israeli navy.

They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla involving dozens of boats and more than 450 people, including parliamentarians, lawyers, and campaigners.

Australian representatives met with the detained Australians on the following day.

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

He explained that his spirits was poor due to restriction of rest and threatening conduct from detention staff.

Relatives Concerns and Health Issues

McEwen’s parent, Jacinta McEwen, a former nurse, expressed she had been contacting authorities for daily updates and was concerned about the “intense” conditions 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 stated.

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

The convoy maintains it was wrongfully stopped by the Israeli navy in international waters.

McEwen also informed representatives that authorities had destroyed pages of his passport because it was microchipped.

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

Differences in Detainment Experiences

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

She claimed her hands were bound behind her back, she was targeted with a high-pressure hose, and was made to sit in an stifling space with her hands restrained and clothes drenched for seven hours.

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

Detention Environment and Medical Impact

Both are being held in the facility, which is mainly utilized to hold Palestinian prisoners, many of whom authorities accuses of engaging in unlawful acts.

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

The mother of two was reported as feeling thirsty, feeble, dizzy, and disoriented.

She said a official had informed her that water from taps was unsafe to drink, and she believed her dehydration was worsening her high blood pressure.

On the day of her detainment, after her prescription was taken, Lamont explained a physician – after measuring her blood pressure – had given her a single tablet of drugs.

But after representatives saw her, they noted she was feeling weak, confused, and tired, and worried she was at risk of a health crisis.

Her request to consult a physician had received no response.

International and Relative Responses

A spokesperson for the activist group expressed concern that her acquaintance was at risk of succumbing without necessary drugs.

The mother of another Aussie detainee, her daughter, said she had received a call from Australian officials giving a verbal account of their visit to Ketziot prison.

Webb-Pullman reported that her child had been subjected to mistreatment, humiliation, threats, and was physically handled and pushed.

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

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

Official Responses

Dfat responded to questions with a message that declared 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 added.

Sources contacted detention authorities, the military, the foreign office, and the diplomatic mission, but no one responded to a request for comment.