Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form a government

Israeli president Isaac Herzog tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a new government after an inconclusive election, marking a major setback for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Although Netanyahu’s Likud party won the most seats, it lost its majority, securing only 53 of 120 parliamentary seats. Eisenkot, whose bloc holds 48 seats, must navigate internal party divisions and secure support from Arab parties within a 28‑day window, with a possible 14‑day extension.