Israel Responds to Negev Residents' Arrest in Egypt, Citing Lack of Official Information

Israel's Foreign Ministry has publicly addressed the detention of three Israeli citizens in Egypt, with whom contact was lost. The ministry stated that it, along with other Israeli authorities, has approached Egyptian officials for official information regarding the individuals. As of Tuesday, a "sufficient official response" had not yet been received, the ministry confirmed, adding that efforts are ongoing to ascertain their status and maintain contact with their families.

The three Israelis, identified as Bedouin from the Negev region, were reportedly arrested in Egypt approximately six months ago under unclear circumstances. Their families were informed that the detentions were not related to criminal activity but rather to matters concerning Egypt's national security. The individuals reportedly left for a vacation in Egypt in March and were apprehended by authorities at the Taba border crossing while attempting to return to Israel.

Their names are Blial Masoudian Al-Waleedi, Bilal Al-Afashk, and Ahmed Adouji. They last communicated with their families shortly before their arrest, after which all contact ceased. It was only after efforts by their Israeli lawyer that the Foreign Ministry confirmed their detention in Egypt.

According to Yitzhak Meltzer, the lawyer for one of the detainees, security investigations are underway. He noted that an inquiry to the Egyptian police revealed the detainees are not being held by the police. Meltzer criticized the Foreign Ministry's handling of the case, stating that his direct inquiries to the Foreign Minister's office on July 30th yielded only a standard response about the referral of his request to relevant parties. He emphasized the urgent need for concrete information on their whereabouts, consular access under the Vienna Convention, and clarification of the charges, highlighting the severe distress of the families living in complete uncertainty.