Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to advance the passing of a bill which would allow his security cabinet to declare a war without the approval of the rest of the government, reports say.

Israel’s Channel 2 - known for its political coverage - said it had learned that over the last few weeks Mr Netanyahu has been pushing for an amendment to the Basic Law Concerning the Government which would allow him to “declare war or to launch a military operation, without the need for its approval by the government, and in certain cases, without the presence of the entire [Security] Cabinet.”

Channel 2 said the potential changes were raised on the recommendations of a committee created in 2015 to improve the efficacy of the security cabinet after disagreements between members led to operational difficulties in the 2014 Operation Protective Edge in Gaza.

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In another incident in 2010, former Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and ex-Mossad director Meir Dagan refused to carry out Mr Netanyahu’s secret orders on the grounds they could lead to war. It is reported the decision from Mr Netanyahu and his defence minister was to carry out a strike on Iran.

Since the two officials raised the objection, the covert operation had to go to the full cabinet for approval, which was not granted.

Israel: From independence to intifada Show all 7 1 /7 Israel: From independence to intifada Israel: From independence to intifada The proclamation of the state of Israel is read by David Ben-Gurion in Tel Aviv on 14 May 1948 © EPA Israel: From independence to intifada Sixty years on, an illuminated flag is shown in Tel Aviv this week © PA Israel: From independence to intifada Young Jews celebrate the proclamation of the state of Israel in 1948 © AFP/Getty Images Israel: From independence to intifada Palestinian children throw stones at a retreating Israeli tank during an incursion into the West Bank city of Jenin in August 2003 following a suicide bombing in Jerusalem © AP Israel: From independence to intifada How Israel's borders have changed - click image to enlarge © Independent Graphics Israel: From independence to intifada From 1948-50, the world's mostcelebrated war photographer Robert Capa captured extraordinary imagesof Israel's pioneering settlers. Here, Turkish immigrants arrive in Haifa © Robert Capa/Getty Images Robert Capa/Magnum Israel: From independence to intifada The Negba kibbutz, where the walls have been damaged by shells fired during the Israeli-Arab war © Robert Capa/Getty Images Robert Capa/Magnum

Justice Ministry officials are reportedly in favour of the amendment, which would speed up the decision making process, prevent operational leaks and restrict debate before any potential military strikes.

Critics have said the move will allow the prime minister to “send soldiers to their deaths” without the approval of the rest of the government, and that any leaked information is an attempt to draw attention away from his current precarious political and legal situation.