Israel's Coalition Talks Begin After Inconclusive Election

Israeli elections have produced no clear parliamentary majority, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot both falling short, triggering coalition negotiations. President Isaac Herzog concluded consultations Thursday to determine who will attempt to form a government. Herzog has met with representatives from most of the 11 parties that passed the electoral threshold, with meetings still pending for Netanyahu's Likud and Eisenkot's Yashar party. It appears likely Herzog will ask Eisenkot to begin coalition-building, though neither leader has a clear path to the required 61-seat majority. Any successful coalition in Israel's parliament needs at least 61 seats, and no obvious route exists for either party to reach that number. The outcome will determine the country's political direction amid ongoing regional tensions.