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Australian activists detained in Israel have reported experiencing what they call “demeaning and insulting conditions” following their arrest aboard a flotilla transporting aid to Gaza.

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

Health Worries and Detention Environment

Another participant, Lamont, voiced serious concern about her health, stating she was at risk of stroke after her prescription drugs were confiscated by Israeli security forces.

She portrayed the prison environment as “dystopian” and noted that her appeal for additional drugs had not been met.

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

Officials stated they are offering consular assistance to the individuals, including through in-person visits.

Claims of Poor Conditions

The activists are being held in a maximum-security facility in the desert region and allege that they and other detainees were offered water that was contaminated due to a strong chemical taste.

He informed consular staff that he had been held in a cage with dozens of individuals without sustenance, while being subjected to verbal attacks from Israeli officials.

She stated that upon reaching the detention center, she was escorted to a room with female detainees and insulted by officials, who called them “militants”.

Interception and Handling Information

McEwen, in his forties, and the documentary film-maker, in her fifties, were detained on Thursday when their Gaza-bound ships were intercepted by the Israeli navy.

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

Australian representatives visited the Aussie detainees on the following day.

According to a account reviewed by media outlets, McEwen detailed “abusive and insulting behavior” after being taken to the port of Ashdod.

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

Family Worries and Medical Problems

His mother, Jacinta, a healthcare professional, expressed she had been calling Dfat for regular information and was concerned about the “intense” conditions her son was experiencing.

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

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

The flotilla argues it was wrongfully stopped by the Israeli navy in international waters.

McEwen also told representatives that authorities had destroyed pages of his travel document because it was electronically embedded.

Both individuals threw their phones into the sea before their arrest.

Differences in Detainment Experiences

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

She 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 soaked for an extended period.

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

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 her, they observed she was “emotionally distressed”, crying multiple times during the visit.

The mother of two was reported as feeling thirsty, weak, lightheaded, and disoriented.

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

On the day of her detainment, after her daily medication was confiscated, Lamont explained a doctor – after checking her blood pressure – had provided her one dose of medication.

But after Australian officials visited her, they noted she was feeling weak, disoriented, and tired, and concerned she was at risk of a health crisis.

Her appeal to consult a physician had received no response.

International and Relative Reactions

A spokesperson for the activist group voiced fear that her friend was at danger of dying without necessary drugs.

The mother of another detained Australian, Bianca Webb-Pullman, stated she had received a call from authorities giving a summary of their inspection to Ketziot prison.

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

She was also placed in a open area 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

Australian authorities replied 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 repeat our call on Israel to enable the sustained, unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the statement continued.

Media outlets contacted detention authorities, the Israel Defense Forces, the Israeli ministry for foreign affairs, and the diplomatic mission, but none replied to a request for comment.