In a surprising turn of events, Gideon Saar, a seasoned Israeli minister, has resigned from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency unity government after being excluded from the highest-level war cabinet. Saar, who had joined the unity government alongside other opposition members to address the Hamas conflict in Gaza, expressed his frustration at not being given the opportunity to influence policy direction.

Saar's departure, along with the resignation of one of his allies, is not expected to destabilize Netanyahu's government, as it still maintains a strong majority in parliament. The move comes after Saar had previously severed ties with Netanyahu's government earlier this month, indicating underlying disagreements within the coalition.

Once a rival to Netanyahu within the right-wing Likud party, Saar shifted towards a more centrist bloc led by former military chief Benny Gantz, leading to their joint entry into the emergency government. Despite their alliance, it was Gantz who ultimately secured a place in the small-forum, decision-making war cabinet, while Saar was left out.

Saar, in a televised statement, voiced his inability to bear responsibility without having a genuine possibility to influence policy direction. "I simply do not see any benefit in this," he asserted, justifying his decision to step down.

Although Saar's resignation may raise some eyebrows, it is not anticipated to have a significant impact on the stability of Netanyahu's government. The prime minister still wields control with a clear majority in parliament, ensuring the continuity of his administration.

As the government continues to grapple with the ongoing conflict with Hamas, Netanyahu's emergency unity government may face new challenges in maintaining cohesion and addressing the concerns of its diverse members. The situation remains fluid, and the immediate ramifications of Saar's resignation are yet to unfold.