**Israeli politics entered a period of uncertainty after the October 27, 2026, Knesset election produced no clear majority.** Likud and its right-wing and ultra-Orthodox allies secured 53 seats while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party took 48; Arab parties won a record 19. Neither side reached the 61 seats needed for a governing coalition. President Isaac Herzog assigned Eisenkot the mandate on November 8 to form a government, giving him 28 days (with a possible 14-day extension) to negotiate. Eisenkot has ruled out relying on Arab parties, limiting options to cross-bloc deals such as a unity government with Likud or inclusion of ultra-Orthodox factions. Netanyahu’s caretaker government continues until a new coalition is approved or the Knesset dissolves, which would trigger fresh elections likely in early 2027. Coalition talks and the new Knesset’s November 10 convening now determine the next steps.