Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has said the Israeli people have “voted for change” and pledged to form a government quickly.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party emerged as the strongest force in Israel’s parliamentary election on Tuesday, according to television projections, followed by Eisenkot’s centrist Yashar party. However, neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor Eisenkot’s camp secured an outright majority.

“We have made history! The public has voted for change,” Eisenkot told supporters.

“The Israeli public has voted against Netanyahu continuing to serve as prime minister of Israel,” he said, adding that he would work to “respect the will of the people.”

With neither side reaching the 61 seats needed for a majority, it remained unclear who would become Israel’s next prime minister. Vote counting is continuing, with the country potentially facing weeks of difficult coalition negotiations.

“Israel is on the path to a new era – an era of hope, mutual responsibility and solidarity,” Eisenkot said.

The election, the first since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Gaza war, was seen as a watershed moment for the deeply divided country.

At stake was whether Netanyahu would remain in power or whether his political opponents could muster enough support to bring about a change of government.

Following the October 7 attacks, Eisenkot joined Netanyahu’s emergency government but later resigned over disagreements with the prime minister.

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