Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering the possibility of abolishing the war cabinet and referring decisions to an expanded coalition government, according to Israeli media outlets. 

Israeli authorities consolidated a crucial decision-making process in a five-member council that includes Netanyahu, Security Minister Yoav Gallant, the "National Unity" leaders Benny Gantz and Gadi Eizenkot, and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, dubbed the war cabinet.

Although Gantz and Eizenkot, among other popular Israeli politicians, constituted a major part of the Israeli opposition to the larger coalition government, the leaders of the "National Unity" movement put their differences with Netanyahu aside and joined efforts to launch the genocidal aggression on the Gaza Strip.

However, the war cabinet has been plagued with squabbles on multiple strategic and in-house disputes, the latest of which was Gantz's unauthorized visit to the US and other Western countries. 

Gideon Sa'ar's decision threatens continuity of war cabinet

On Tuesday, the leader of the New Hope party, Gideon Sa'ar, ended his partnership with Gantz and Eizenkot's "National Unity" movement, or what is known as the "State Camp" in Israeli circles. Sa'ar is a major part of the opposition movement and his decision to break away came after he demanded to be included in the war cabinet.

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Sa'ar's mobilization prompted far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to make similar demands, hoping to "change the concept of the war cabinet and lead decisiveness [in the decision-making process]."

On Wednesday, Benny Gantz announced his opposition to Sa'ar's, describing his demand as non-objective and not related to "Israel's" interest.

In fact, the far-right Israeli camp has been in major conflict with the "State Camp" and other opposition parties, which has forced Netanyahu onto a tightrope, as he balances between maintaining the continuity of the war cabinet and the larger coalition government. 

Knesset passes most contentious war budget

On Wednesday evening, the Israeli Knesset approved a 2024 war budget in a contentious session on a vote of 62-55. 

According to opposition leader Yair Lapid, the war budget session was "the most sectarian, disconnected, and careless budget in the history of the state passed on the votes of the cowards. Don't give up. This is the final budget that this government will pass."

Lapid said that the budget "tears the mask off all the government’s talk of unity."

The decision did not only face opposition from Lapid, but it also garnered resistance from Netanyhau's own Likud party members, including the minister of agriculture. Sa'ar's dissolution of the "National Unity" also propelled the close call on the proposed budget plan.

The event highlights the deep-seated divisions within the government and the growing dissatisfaction among opposition parties and far-right parties, signaling the approach of an even graver crossroads on the horizon.