Israel Accused of Faking Gaza Tunnel Photo to Delay Hostage Deal

Key Points

  • Controversy: A former Israeli defense minister claims the government faked a photo of a Hamas tunnel in Gaza to avoid a deal to free hostages.
  • Conflicting Claims: Soldiers say the tunnel was real, but the military hasn’t officially responded.
  • Context: The dispute centers on the Philadelphi Corridor—a sensitive border zone between Gaza and Egypt—and its role in stalled negotiations.

What’s the Philadelphi Corridor?

  • Think of it like: A heavily guarded strip of land (100 meters wide, 14 miles long) separating Gaza from Egypt.
  • Why it matters: Israel says controlling it stops weapons smuggling. Hamas demanded Israel withdraw troops from the area as part of a hostage deal.

The Photo Controversy

  • August 2023: Israel released a photo (below) claiming it showed a Hamas smuggling tunnel in the corridor. Pro-Israel groups and media used it to justify keeping troops there.
    • Example: The Times of Israel called it an “unusually large tunnel,” while a U.S. group praised Israel for uncovering a “terror underground empire.”
  • New Accusation: A recent report by Israeli TV network Kan 11 claims the photo actually showed a shallow water channel, not a tunnel. Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant accused the government of lying to delay a hostage deal.

Conflicting Stories

  1. Gallant’s Claim:
    • “The photo was misleading. It wasn’t a tunnel—just a water conduit covered in dirt. No weapons were smuggled there.”
    • He argued the government exaggerated to keep troops in the corridor, even if it meant sacrificing hostages’ lives.
  2. Soldiers’ Response:
    • Two IDF soldiers from the engineering battalion insist the tunnel was real. One said, “My commander drove into a major tunnel—not some small ditch.”
    • Note: Their statements were shared by a media outlet linked to Netanyahu’s political allies.

Why This Matters

  • Hostage Deal Stalled: Families of hostages held by Hamas have protested for months, urging Israel to negotiate. The corridor’s status became a roadblock.
  • Political Tension: Gallant (a Netanyahu critic) was fired in 2024. He claims Netanyahu prioritized control of the corridor over hostages’ lives, while Netanyahu argued withdrawing would let Hamas send hostages to Iran.

What’s Next?

  • The IDF hasn’t officially denied Gallant’s claims.
  • The dispute highlights deeper issues: public trust, political infighting, and the human cost of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Visuals referenced in the original article: [Photo 1](IDF’s tunnel image) | [Photo 2](Alternate angle) | [Tweet](Gallant’s accusation)

TL;DR: Israel’s government is accused of faking a tunnel photo to avoid a hostage deal. Soldiers say the tunnel was real, but a former minister calls it a lie. The truth remains unclear, but the fallout could impact trust in leadership and hostage negotiations.