Israel's president asks Gadi Eisenkot to attempt coalition formation

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has selected opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to receive the initial mandate to build a new governing administration, marking a significant hurdle for incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Herzog announced the decision on Saturday night after concluding a series of extensive consultations throughout the week with representatives from Israel's primary political factions. Most of the party delegations advised the head of state to entrust the coalition-building role to Eisenkot.

The political move comes in the wake of general elections held on October 27, which produced no decisive parliamentary majority for either side. Eisenkot, who previously led Israel's armed forces as military chief, stood as the principal rival to Netanyahu during the campaign. He headed an alliance of parties unified around the objective of replacing the country's longest-ruling prime minister.

With the presidential mandate now in hand, Eisenkot faces the task of assembling an alliance that can control a working majority in the legislature. If he succeeds, the resulting administration would bring an end to Netanyahu's current tenure in office.