Israeli President Herzog gave the task of forming the government to opposition leader Eisenkot

With the official ceremony held at the Israeli Presidential Office at 17:00 local time (18:00 GMT), Eisenkot received the authority to form the government from Herzog.

In his statement after receiving the authority, Eisenkot stated that Israel was going through a difficult and extraordinary process that determined its fate and said, "On the one hand, while the war continues on different fronts, on the other hand, we are faced with a very severe diplomatic crisis." he said.

Stating that the process of forming a government will require extraordinary political steps, Eisenkot said, "Israel does not have the luxury of wasting time or repeating endless election cycles." he said.

Addressing Eisenkot, President Herzog said, "I expect you to do everything you can to establish a government that will serve all our citizens." he said.

Eisenkot is expected to have critical contacts with party leaders in the coming days to form a coalition government.

Parliamentary elections in Israel were held on October 27, and according to the final official results announced on November 4, the current coalition (53) and the opposition bloc (48) could not reach 61 seats, sufficient to form a government in the 120-seat Israeli Parliament.

67 of the 120 MPs who were eligible to enter the Israeli Parliament recommended Herzog to give the authority to form the government to opposition leader Eisenkot.

Parties representing Palestinian Israeli citizens, who reached a historic number of 19 deputies in the elections, suggested that Eisenkot be given the authority to form a government during the consultation meetings with Herzog.

Eisenkot had said that Arab parties would not take part in the coalition he would form.