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Gadi Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming Israel’s government, began a meeting Thursday with caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Netanyahu’s military secretary, Maj. Gen. Guy Markizano, amid reports of possible renewed military action against Iran, Anadolu Agency reported.
A statement from Netanyahu and Eisenkot, reported by “Ynet”, said the meeting at Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem was intended to provide a political and security briefing.
The meeting was arranged after Eisenkot asked Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to intervene to ensure he received regular security briefings. The position of opposition leader remains vacant following the inauguration of the new Knesset.
It also came a day after Eisenkot warned Netanyahu against launching military or security operations without an immediate threat during the government transition.
In a letter on Wednesday, Eisenkot said Netanyahu no longer had the confidence of parliament, with only 46 lawmakers supporting his continued tenure. Netanyahu called the warning “irresponsible” and urged Eisenkot not to spread fear and division.
Senior figures in the opposition bloc have accused Netanyahu of seeking unilateral military action against Iran without US backing, despite reported opposition from military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior security officials, according to “Ynet”. An opposition official accused Netanyahu of trying to draw Israel into a war to undermine Eisenkot’s efforts to form a government.
“Ynet” reported that Israel’s security cabinet, expected to meet Sunday, had previously instructed the military to increase its readiness for scenarios involving Iran, including a possible Israeli strike or an Iranian surprise attack. The outlet also reported that Netanyahu had discussed possible operations against Iran with senior security officials in recent weeks, while Zamir reportedly opposed certain proposals before the elections.
There was no confirmation that Iran was discussed at Thursday’s meeting.
Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman also warned Thursday that a caretaker government should not make decisions that could lead to war without parliamentary oversight and agreement among senior security officials.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, with forming a government on Sunday after parliamentary factions representing 67 lawmakers recommended him, compared with 46 who backed Netanyahu.
Eisenkot has 28 days to form a governing coalition, with a possible 14-day extension. The mandate followed the Oct. 27 parliamentary elections, which left neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition with an outright majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister until a new government takes office.
