Eisenkot says any party involved in next government must commit to action on Hamas

Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has said that any party willing to sign on to the “recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organisation and a commitment to destroying its military and governing capabilities” is a potential partner in his national emergency government. Earlier, Israeli President Isaac Herzog officially gave Eisenkot six weeks to try to form the next government after the success of the anti-Netanyahu bloc in the recent Israeli elections. “Israel does not have the luxury of wasting time or returning to endless rounds of elections. The challenges are too urgent,” he said in a speech alongside Herzog, adding that Israel is “in the midst of a destructive diplomatic crisis” as its closest allies are reconsidering their relations with the country. Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) and opposition bloc leader Gadi Eisenkot during a press conefernce at the President's office in Jerusalem on 8 November 2026 (Ilia Yefimovich/AFP)