Netanyahu is mulling the move in order to prevent the Knesset from dissolving later Wednesday, as the deadline for lawmakers to choose a candidate who would try to form a governing coalition expires at midnight.
Such a move would stop Israel from heading for a third election in one year.
The Knesset had already passed in an initial vote a bill to dissolve itself and head for a March 2 election. The Israeli parliament still has to pass the bill in three more votes before it is offically approved.
The premier is consulting with his attorneys about the legal repercussions of the move. Since this past weekend, he has been debating whether he should reliniquish his right to ask for immunity, and is weighing whether he should surprise fellow lawmakers later Wednesday when they vote on dissolving the Knesset by making this announcement.
Nonetheless, Likud officials familiar with Netanyahu's deliberations have told Haaretz that they doubt Netanyahu will forgo his immunity, even in return for an opportunity to head another government.
Netanyahu rival and Kahol Lavan chairman Benny Gantz made a surprise move on Tuesday when he announced that he was willing to negotiate with the prime minister if he would not request immunity.
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