Eisenkot tasked with forming Israeli government, calls for unity and Hamas defeat

Gadi Eisenkot described his mandate to form a new Israeli government as a difficult task that must be won, saying Israel is facing a critical emergency and the most complex political situation since its founding.

Eisenkot stressed that destroying Hamas and recognizing it as a terrorist organization are key conditions for any party joining his government, adding that there is no time to hold new elections.

He called on members of the Likud party and the Religious Zionism party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to join his government if they believe in the importance of unity at this stage, stating he sees no reason for them not to support a government under his leadership based on the principles he outlined.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government, warning of the "political uncertainty" Israel faces, especially after the US elections in which Republicans lost their congressional majority.

During the appointment ceremony, Herzog emphasized that Israel needs a stable government, noting the "new political reality" in the United States.