Israeli spies may have “spiked” hundreds of rockets before they were fired from Gaza, it was claimed today.
A senior Western intelligence source said Mossad operatives likely targeted the rockets as they were smuggled in parts from Iran to Gaza, or in the Palestinian enclave itself.
The claims were made as Israel and Gaza entered day three of a shaky ceasefire from a battle that killed 248 Palestinians and 12 Israelis.
Close to 2,000 Palestinians and hundreds of Israelis were also injured.
A record number of Iran-made rockets misfired in Gaza or fell short of the Israeli border, it was claimed.
As many as 16% of 4,360 rockets allegedly failed to reach Israel during the 11-day cross-border missile exchange between the sides.
The 680 misfires – claimed to have led to some civilian deaths in Gaza – meant Israel’s Iron Dome defence system smashed 90% of incoming Hamas missiles, it was alleged.
A source told the Mirror spies may have tampered with the guidance systems, the motors, warheads or explosive material inside the missiles.
The source claimed: “Israel probably has the most penetrative espionage capability in the world. Its intelligence community has pulled off some breathtaking operations deep inside enemy territory, including assassinating Iranian scientists.
“It is very likely a number of those rockets were intercepted and altered.”
The operation likely took place months ago, as Gaza’s militants have spent years stocking 12,000 Kassem, Kornet and Badr missiles.
Israel claims Hamas has enough missiles left for another two months.
It comes as Israel unveiled details of its £1billion “Fortress of Zion” war bunker in Tel Aviv, used for the first time in this last exchange with Gaza.
War chiefs used 3D technology to home in on Gaza targets as the Israeli Defence Force tried to wipe out Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the degrading of the military power of Hamas by air bombardment was an “exceptional success”.
Pledging a “new level of force” in response, he added: “If Hamas thinks we will tolerate a drizzle of rockets, it is wrong.”
However Hamas has spoken of the “euphoria of victory” and its leader Ismail Haniyeh said the conflict had “opened the door to new phases that will witness many victories”.
Today, Gaza’s stricken residents were counting the cost of conflict, with many streets reduced to rubble.
The commercial hub al-Wahda Street is a lane of wreckage. In one deadly night, families were wiped out, with 42 Palestinians killed, including eight children. Mahmoud al-Qawlaq’s family died, including his brothers, cousins, uncles, and nephews. He was saved by a distance of 30ft as he fled.
He said: “It was around 1am and we heard explosions everywhere. There were rockets raining down on our homes, without prior warnings.
“I ran out of my house, I was scared it would be bombed. I was lucky.”
Back in Israel yesterday, police superintendant Ofer Solomon, 36, showed the Mirror missiles – up to 10ft long – that had hit the town of Ashdod, 32km south of Tel Aviv.
He said: “It is a mystery why they didn’t fly further. Most are assembled in Gaza. I can’t say what happened.”
During the Gaza blitz he revealed that he had dived for cover from his car as shrapnel burst his tyres.
