An investigation by Israel’s public broadcaster KAN has revealed that the Israeli military fabricated the discovery of a tunnel in the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, claiming the structure was, in fact, a shallow canal, Anadolu Agency reports.

Last August, the army published photos of an alleged tunnel in the demilitarised area along the border. “There was never a tunnel, but a canal covered in dirt,” KAN said.

The purpose of this lie “was to exaggerate the importance of the Philadelphi Corridor and delay a hostage deal”, it added.

According to KAN, former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant backed the findings, saying, “It was not a tunnel, but rather an attempt to prevent a ceasefire agreement.”

Gallant clarified that the structure was only about one metre deep and was misleadingly presented to the public as a deep tunnel. “It was promoted to the public as a deep tunnel to prevent reaching a deal with Hamas,” he added.