Israel Says Egypt Lacks Sufficient Response on Detained Negev Youths

The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated Tuesday evening that it has not yet received a "sufficient official response" from Egyptian authorities regarding three young men from the Negev who have been detained in Egypt for approximately six months. The ministry confirmed it is continuing its communications with Cairo to obtain information about their detention conditions.

According to Israel's official broadcaster "Kan 11," the Foreign Ministry has officially addressed the case of Bilal Hassan Masoudin Al-Walidi, Bilal Salam Al-Afshak, and Ahmed Odeh Al-Dugi for the first time since their detention in Egypt last March became known. The ministry issued a statement saying that it and other entities had approached Egyptian authorities requesting official information about the three, but "up to this stage, a sufficient official response has not been obtained" from the Egyptian side. The ministry added that it "continues to work with the authorities in Egypt regarding the three Israelis and remains in contact with their families."

The Israeli government's statement follows a report revealing the youths have been held for about six months amid ongoing ambiguity regarding the reasons for their detention, their whereabouts, and any legal proceedings against them. "Kan 11" had previously reported that a message conveyed to the families indicated their detention was not related to a criminal case but to matters described as concerning "Egyptian national security," without providing further details.

The three youths reportedly traveled to Egypt for a vacation in March and were arrested by Egyptian authorities at the Taba border crossing while attempting to return to Israel. Their families last had contact with them shortly before their detention, after which communication ceased entirely. Lawyers for the families, after numerous attempts, managed to secure confirmation from the Israeli Foreign Ministry that the young men are indeed detained in Egypt.

Details surrounding their detention remain unclear. Families have stated they have been unable to communicate with the detainees, nor have their lawyers been permitted to visit them. It is also unknown if they have appeared before a court or undergone any judicial procedures. The families had previously informed "Arabs 48" that their sons left the Negev on March 20 for Sharm El Sheikh and news of them went silent on the second day of Eid al-Fitr. Since then, the families have demanded disclosure of their fate, communication with their relatives, and assurance of necessary legal assistance.