Israeli President Isaac Herzog has invited former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, a political rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to form a new government.
According to the news agency, Eisenkot has been given 28 days to form a government, with a possible extension of another 14 days.
Eisenkot has several political options to secure a parliamentary majority. These include forming a minority government with external support from Arab parties, building a coalition with religious parties, or establishing a national unity government with Netanyahu.
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has 120 seats. A minimum of 61 seats is required to secure a majority and form a government.
The 66-year-old Eisenkot previously served as chief of staff of the Israeli military. He has openly criticised Netanyahu’s leadership and Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Eisenkot has also opposed joining a government led by Netanyahu. He has further criticised violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
According to the report, if Eisenkot succeeds in forming a government, he would become Israel’s first prime minister from the country’s Jewish community of Middle Eastern and North African descent.
However, if Eisenkot and other nominated candidates fail to form a government, Israel could face another round of elections.
