Guwahati, Nov. 6 -- Gadi Eisenkot, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main political rival, secured the backing of a majority of lawmakers on Thursday to receive the mandate to form a government, but President Isaac Herzog said it remained unclear who could break the post-election deadlock.

Herzog said he would announce his choice of candidate on Sunday after holding consultations with political leaders over the weekend.

Israel's October 27 election ended without a clear winner, leaving both Netanyahu and former military chief Eisenkot short of a parliamentary majority. The president, whose largely ceremonial office carries the responsibility of selecting the candidate most likely to form a governing coalition, held consultatio...