Israel sets October 2026 election as Netanyahu faces challenge from ex-defense chief Eisenkot
Israel will hold parliamentary elections on October 27, 2026, the first since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, setting the stage for a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.
The election date was announced by the Israeli parliament on Sunday, with the vote seen as a crucial test for Netanyahu, who has been leading the country through a volatile period marked by the Gaza war. The next election was to be held by October 27 under the law, but earlier dates had also been under discussion.
Opinion polls suggest it could prove difficult for both Netanyahu's camp and the opposition to secure a majority. Israeli coalitions are usually composed of several parties. Former Israeli defense chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the main rival to the incumbent months ahead of the vote. Eisenkot's new centrist party, Yashar! (Hebrew for "Straight!"), is rapidly gaining popularity and even took first place from Netanyahu's right-wing nationalist Likud Party in a recent opinion poll.
Eisenkot, 66, served as defense chief from 2015 to 2019, then entered politics. He is seen as an expert on the Lebanese militia Hezbollah and is known for his down-to-earth character. His son and two of his nephews were killed in the Gaza war, which has resonated with many Israelis.
The election comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza. On Sunday, Israeli attacks in Gaza killed at least six people, including an 8-year-old girl, according to hospital sources in the enclave. The attacks occurred in different parts of Gaza, including a refugee camp and a mechanical workshop.
In one of the deadliest incidents on Sunday, an 8-year-old girl was killed by gunfire in the Al Nur wal Huda refugee camp in central Gaza. The camp is located near positions held by Israeli troops, and the area has been the scene of daily shootings.
In another incident, four people were killed in a series of drone strikes on a mechanical workshop in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City. The Israeli military said it was targeting "terrorist infrastructure," but did not provide further details.
The violence has continued despite a ceasefire agreement that has been in place since last October. The total death toll in Gaza since October 2023 is over 73,200, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The UN agency has also reported that nearly 21,300 children have been killed in the conflict.
The ongoing violence has drawn international condemnation, with many calling for an independent investigation into the October 7 attacks and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
Back in Israel, the election campaign is expected to be heated, with Netanyahu facing criticism from both the left and the right. Eisenkot, who is seen as a more moderate figure, has been gaining support from Israelis who are tired of the ongoing conflict and the political instability.
The election will be a crucial test for Netanyahu, who has been in power for more than a decade. If he fails to secure a majority, it could mark the end of his political career and a shift in Israel's political landscape.
As Israelis prepare to go to the polls, the country remains deeply divided over the war in Gaza and the leadership of Netanyahu. The election will be a crucial moment for Israelis to express their views on the direction of the country and the ongoing conflict.
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