Hamas Terrorists Under the Influence: The Role of Drugs in Attacks on Israel

Hamas terrorists who carried out attacks in Israel may have been under the influence of Captagon, a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant known as the "jihadi drug" or "poor man's cocaine." The drug, consumed like candy, reportedly instigates feelings of rage, irritability, and impatience, encouraging terrorists to commit acts of violence. Bags of Captagon were allegedly given to Hamas fighters, and the drug was found on some of the terrorists killed during the attacks. Captagon is trafficked from Turkey to the Middle East and is used by affluent populations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. It is also widely used by Hezbollah terrorists and is a major source of income for Syria.