Netanyahu rival Eisenkot to be tasked with forming new government following Israeli elections

Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of Israel's centrist Yashar party, is to be tasked with forming a new government after legislative elections last month produced no clear winner.

"President Isaac Herzog has decided to task Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the ‘Yashar’ party, with forming a government," a statement from the president's office released on Saturday evening said.

The decision came after Herzog held talks with political figures over the last few days, including Eisenkot and main rival Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Following the consultations, factions totalling 67 members of the Knesset (Israel's parliament) backed Eisenkot, while 46 supported Netanyahu, the statement said.

"The president has invited Gadi Eisenkot to the president’s residence for the ceremony to confer the mandate, which will take place tomorrow," it added.

A candidate tasked with forming a government has 28 days to carry out the job. The president is able to extend this by a maximum of 14 days if necessary.

Should that fail, the president can give a second leader the chance to form a government, this time with a maximum deadline of 28 days. If this second round were also to fail, then the Knesset can request a third candidate be given a go. They would have 14 days to complete the task.

If all attempts fail, another election is called.

Eisenkot, a former military chief, has vowed to "do everything" to form a new government.

Both Eisenkot and Netanyahu's blocs fell well short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset in the recent elections.

Netanyahu's camp finished on 53 seats, while the opposition, led by the Yashar party, ended on 48.

Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party remained the largest party, with 27 seats, while the Arab parties secured a record 19 seats between them.

It comes after Netanyahu called on Saturday for the formation of a national unity government.