28 days to replace Netanyahu: Can Eisenkot form Israel's next government?

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has officially given opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot six weeks to attempt to form a new government following the success of the anti-Netanyahu bloc in recent elections. Eisenkot, a former military chief, has until February 26 to form a government before the Knesset dissolves and the country heads for another election.

According to Dawn, Eisenkot's bloc lacks a clear majority, and he has reached out to allies of Benjamin Netanyahu while warning that the prime minister has brought the nation to a historic crisis.

Eisenkot stated that he intends to form a national emergency government through "creative and unconventional political steps." He noted that any party interested in joining must commit to recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization and destroying its military and governing capabilities. Both Eisenkot and Herzog acknowledged that Israel is facing a devastating diplomatic crisis, with Eisenkot noting that even closest strategic allies are reassessing their relationships with the country.

While Eisenkot aims to work toward a wide government, Al-Monitor reports his path to power remains uncertain due to a deadlocked election that failed to remove Netanyahu. Haaretz reports that sources suggest Herzog may push for a unity government with Netanyahu if Eisenkot fails to form a government within the allotted timeframe.

Brief written by urgent.news from Haaretz, Middle East Eye, Dawn, Al-Monitor — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.