Tel Aviv, October: Hamas launched a massive military operation into Israel on October 7, killing and taking Israelis hostages. The shooting of thousands of rockets into Israel was followed by an attack by land, air and sea, with fighters penetrating deep into territory under Israeli control. So far, more than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed in the conflict that has raged into its 14th day. However, reports suggest that the Hamas militants consumed drugs when they attacked Israel.

According to local media reports, the Hamas militants killed in the surprise attack on Israel on October 7 had consumed a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant called Captagon pill. The pills were recovered from the pockets of many militants killed on Israeli soil, the Jerusalem Post reported. The drug is produced in southern Europe and is trafficked to the consumer markets present in the Arabian Peninsula via Turkey. Known as the “cocaine for the poor”, the drug gave the militants a sense of calmness and indifference when they killed civilians, suppressed their appetite, and kept them highly alert for long durations, the reports said. Israel-Hamas War: Explosion Hits Orthodox Church in Gaza City, Multiple Casualties Feared (Watch Video).

Captagon gained notoriety in 2015 when it was discovered that ISIS terrorists were consuming it to suppress their fear before carrying out terrorist operations. After some time, Syria and Lebanon started mass-producing and distributing Captagon pills. Gaza emerged as a popular market for the drug, especially among the young crowd addicted to it. Israel-Hamas War: Israeli Military Strikes Hundreds of Operational Hamas Targets in Gaza Strip, Destroys Munition Warehouses (Watch Video).

Captagon is highly addictive and has the potential to induce psychotic reactions. Despite this, it remains popular in the Middle East due to its affordability and ease of manufacturing. In poorer countries, the drug can be purchased for a dollar or two, while in wealthier nations, it may cost up to 20 dollars per pill

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 20, 2023 05:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).