Israel's Coalition Talks Begin After Inconclusive Election Results

Israeli elections have produced no clear parliamentary majority, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot to compete for coalition partners. President Isaac Herzog is concluding consultations with party representatives to determine who will be tasked with forming a government. Herzog has met with most of the 11 parties that passed the electoral threshold, but still needs to meet with Netanyahu's Likud and Eisenkot's Yashar party. Neither leader has a clear path to the required 61 seats for a majority in Israel's parliament, making coalition negotiations highly uncertain. The president is expected to ask Eisenkot to begin coalition-building efforts, though both parties face significant hurdles in reaching the necessary seat count. The outcome will determine Israel's next government amid ongoing political instability.