India, Nov. 8 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hold on power faces a fresh challenge after President Isaac Herzog tasked former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief Gadi Eisenkot with forming the country's next government following an election that produced a fractured parliament.

Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, secured recommendations from 67 lawmakers, giving him the first opportunity to assemble a coalition and potentially end Netanyahu's tenure as Israel's longest-serving prime minister.

He has 28 days to form a government, with the possibility of a 14-day extension.

The October 27 election failed to give any political bloc a clear majority, leaving coalition negotiations crucial to determining the country's next g...