A top opposition Israeli politician says he has reached an agreement to enter a wartime unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Benny Gantz, a former defence minister and military chief of staff, released what he said was a joint statement with Mr Netanyahu.

The statement said they would form a five-member “war-management” Cabinet.

It will consist of Mr Netanyahu, Mr Gantz, current defence minister Yoav Gallant and two other top officials serving as “observer” members.It said the government would not pass any legislation or decisions that are not connected to the war as long as the fighting continues.

It was not immediately clear what would happen to Mr Netanyahu’s existing government partners, a collection of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties.