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Australian activists detained in Israel have described enduring what they call “degrading and humiliating treatment” after their detainment aboard a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza.

An activist, McEwen, claimed he was struck and experienced a dislocated arm and had his head slammed into the ground.

Medical Worries and Detention Conditions

Another participant, Lamont, expressed serious fear about her health, saying she was at danger of a medical emergency after her daily medication were seized by Israeli security forces.

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

McEwen and Lamont are among seven Australians verified by Australian officials to have been taken into custody in Israel.

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

Allegations of Poor Conditions

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

McEwen told consular staff that he had been kept in a enclosure with 80 other people without food or water, while being exposed to abuse from Israeli officials.

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

Arrest and Handling Details

The care worker, aged 40, and Lamont, in her fifties, were arrested on Thursday when their Gaza-bound ships were intercepted by the naval forces.

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

Dfat officials visited the detained Australians on the following day.

According to a report reviewed by sources, he detailed “abusive and insulting behavior” after being transferred to the port of Ashdod.

He stated that his morale was low due to sleep deprivation techniques and threatening conduct from detention staff.

Relatives Worries and Health Issues

McEwen’s parent, Jacinta, a healthcare professional, said 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 stated.

McEwen believed her son’s return was being hindered because he declined to sign a form acknowledging he had entered Israel illegally.

The flotilla maintains it was wrongfully stopped by the naval forces in open sea.

McEwen also informed officials that Israeli soldiers had torn up pages of his passport because it was electronically embedded.

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

Variations in Detainment Experiences

Although McEwen stated his detainment on board the vessel was carried out with little violence, Lamont – sailing on a different ship – recounted a “humiliating” experience.

Lamont claimed her hands were bound behind her back, she was sprayed with a high-pressure hose, and was left to sit in an stifling space with her hands restrained and clothes drenched for an extended period.

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

Detention Conditions and Medical Impact

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

After Australian officials met with her, they observed she was “deeply upset”, crying multiple times during the visit.

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

Lamont mentioned 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 confiscated, she stated a physician – after checking her blood pressure – had provided her one dose of drugs.

But after representatives saw her, they noted she was feeling lethargic, 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 Family Responses

A spokesperson for the activist group voiced concern that her friend was at danger of succumbing without access to medication.

The mother of another detained Australian, her daughter, said she had received a call from authorities giving a summary of their inspection to Ketziot prison.

She reported that her daughter had been subjected to abuse, humiliation, threats, and was physically handled and shoved.

She was also placed in a open area in the sun for five hours with no protection, food or water.

She further described a faucet with unclean liquid, meaning she had drunk no or little water in days.

Government 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 repeat our call on Israel to enable the sustained, unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the announcement added.

Sources contacted detention authorities, the military, the Israeli ministry for foreign affairs, and the Israeli embassy in Australia, but no one responded to a request for comment.