Three Israeli Bedouins Detained in Egypt for Six Months on Security Charges

Three Israeli citizens, Bedouins from the Negev region, have been held in Egypt for approximately six months under unclear circumstances, according to a report by Kan News. Their families have been informed that the detentions are not for criminal reasons but are related to Egypt's national security. The three men, Li'el Masoudian Al-Walidi, Bilal Al-Afash, and Ahmed Adouji, traveled to Egypt for a vacation in March. They were detained by Egyptian authorities at the Taba border crossing while attempting to return to Israel. Family members reported that the men last spoke to them shortly before their arrest, and all contact has been lost since. After efforts by their Israeli lawyer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed their detention in Egypt. The families claim they have had no contact with the detainees and that their lawyers have been denied visitation. They also stated they have not been informed if the men have appeared before a judge and that no Israeli consular representative has visited them. A relative of one detainee expressed concern, stating, "The lawyer submitted requests to the Egyptian authorities to understand where they are being held, and there is no response. He checked and they are not being held by the police, not in a known prison, not hospitalized, and not in any official place." The relative added, "No Egyptian entity confirms they are with them, and at the same time, there is no mention of the arrest in the Egyptian media, which intensifies the question marks surrounding the circumstances of the arrest." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the issue and stated it is being handled, but no official response has been received from the Egyptian side.