For Benjamin Netanyahu, the battle to remain Israel’s prime minister has entered a new phase. President Isaac Herzog has chosen former military chief and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to make the first attempt at forming a government after an election that left neither side with the numbers to rule.Eisenkot, 66, emerged as Netanyahu’s principal challenger in the October 27 election, which ended without a clear parliamentary majority. While Netanyahu’s Likud remained the largest single party, his wider religious-nationalist coalition fell short of the numbers needed to govern.Eisenkot’s appointment gives the opposition its first opportunity to put together an alternative government, although the difficult negotiations ahead mean Netanyahu’s departure is far from certain.News agency Associated Press reported that representatives of most of Israel’s major political parties recommended Eisenkot during consultations with Herzog this week. The Israeli president subsequently announced that he would give the former military chief the first opportunity to assemble a governing coalition.News agency Reuters reported that Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of another 14 days.The appointment marks an important moment for a politician who entered electoral politics only in 2022 but has since emerged as one of the most prominent challengers to Netanyahu.GEExpress InfoGenIE · Israel5 things to know about Gadi EisenkotThe former army chief set to be asked to form Israel’s next government. President Herzog said he will formally hand Eisenkot the mandate on Sunday, November 8.66age4years as army chief21seats for his party67MKs backed him for PM Tap a number1Soldier2Strategist3Father4Politician5Contender1From Tiberias to the top of the army1960Born in Tiberias to Moroccan-Jewish parents1978Joins the Golani infantry brigade, later its commander1999–2003Military secretary to prime ministers Barak and Sharon2015–2019IDF chief of staff, serving under NetanyahuNext →2The man behind the “Dahiya doctrine”2008As head of Northern Command, he set out a strategy of overwhelming force against areas used to fire on Israel — named after Dahiya, Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut.Supporters call it deterrence; critics, including rights groups, say it treats civilian areas as targets.Next →3A war that became personal Gal Eisenkot, 25His son, a reservist, was killed in northern Gaza in December 2023. Two of his nephews were also killed in the war.Next →4From war cabinet to his own partyNov 2022Enters Knesset with Benny Gantz’s alliance Oct 2023Joins the war cabinet after the Hamas attack Jul 2025Quits parliament after splitting with Gantz Sep 2025Launches his own party, YasharNext →5Now he has to build a majorityRecommended EisenkotRecommended NetanyahuHis four conditions for partnersJewish and democratic stateDeclaration of Independence valuesMandatory service for allDismantle HamasHe has 28 days from the mandate, extendable by 14, to win a majority of 61.Back to 1 ↺Sources: The Jerusalem Post; The Jewish Chronicle; Times of Israel; Britannica; Israel Democracy Institute. As of November 8, 2026.Express InfoGenIECreated by Aniruddha DharThe October 27 election produced a fragmented Knesset, Israel’s 120-member parliament, with neither of the two main political camps securing the 61 seats required for a majority.Story continues below this adNetanyahu’s Likud won 27 seats, the most of any individual party. However, his broader religious-nationalist coalition secured only 53 seats, falling eight short of a majority.Eisenkot’s Yashar party won 21 seats, while the four Jewish-led parties aligned with his political camp secured a combined 48.The two parties representing Israel’s Arab minority won a record 19 seats, making their parliamentary support potentially decisive.During consultations with Herzog, 67 lawmakers recommended Eisenkot for the task of forming a government, compared with 46 who backed Netanyahu. The United Torah Judaism party, a longstanding Netanyahu ally, declined to endorse either candidate.Story continues below this adHerzog had cautioned that the recommendations did not automatically establish who could form a functioning government, pointing to disagreements and mutual vetoes between political blocs.Reuters reported that Arab-led parties nevertheless backed Eisenkot despite his reluctance to bring them into a governing coalition. Their support helped him secure the largest number of recommendations.Express InfoGenIE · IsraelEisenkot’s three roads to 61He has the first shot at forming a government. Every route to a majority comes with a price. Pick a road.48seats he starts with Tap a roadRoad AMinority government67 seatsRoad BUltra-Orthodox deal61 seatsRoad CNational unity75 seatsRoad AMinority governmentArab-led parties back him from outside His bloc 48 Joint List 11 Ra’am 867 — 6 over the line(support from outside the cabinet)The priceRely on votes from parties outside the cabinetWho balksSome of his own allies rule out depending on Arab-led partiesThe twist: AP reports Eisenkot has signalled he could work with them on conditions, including recognising Hamas as a terrorist group and its destruction.Road BUltra-Orthodox dealBring in United Torah Judaism and Shas His bloc 48 UTJ 7 Shas 661 — exactly 61The priceCompromise on seminary students’ military-service exemptionsWho balksEisenkot and allies want service shared more equally; Shas endorsed NetanyahuThe twist: Al Jazeera reports UTJ could consider backing an arrangement if its demands are met.Road CNational unityShare power with Netanyahu’s Likud His bloc 48 Likud 2775 — 14 over the lineThe priceDrop the core campaign promise: removing NetanyahuWho balksEisenkot has said he would not serve in a government with the prime ministerThe twist: Analysts cited by Reuters say this could come into play if the other talks fail.Analysts cited by Reuters say all three roads are difficult.The clock42 days at most, then the fallbacks28 days · to Dec 6+14Nov 8: mandateDec 20: last day1Eisenkot tries28 days, plus up to 14 more2Another candidatePossibly Netanyahu, who stays caretaker PM3Parliament picksMKs can nominate someone else4New electionIf all fail, around 100 days after the process beganThe balancing act: win Arab-led support without losing Jewish allies, deal with the ultra-Orthodox without abandoning his stand on military service, or bring rivals together.Sources: Reuters; Associated Press; Al Jazeera; Times of Israel. Seat figures from the ratified results. As of November 8, 2026.Express InfoGenIECreated by Aniruddha Dhar