Iran: Preparations and disputed timing
Israeli officials believe President Trump could order renewed strikes on Iran within days, potentially in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation targeting nuclear and energy infrastructure, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.
Axios reported that Netanyahu wants strikes immediately after Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections, while Trump favors more time for diplomacy. Their tense Saturday call was described as “tough” by an Israeli source and “direct” by a U.S. source.
The broadcaster reported completed Israeli offensive and defensive preparations, consultations with Gulf states, particularly Abraham Accords signatories, and weekend U.S.-Israeli military coordination talks.
Dozens of U.S. transport and refueling aircraft have arrived in the region, including at Israeli airbases. Negotiations continue in Doha, although Israeli officials remain pessimistic about a diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and Qatar.
Coalition formation: Bennett backs Eisenkot
Bennett has recommended Eisenkot to form the government. Herzog urged parties attending presidential consultations this week to compromise on campaign positions to prevent another election. Gantz advocated unity despite the failed 2020 unity government.
Lapid and Lieberman met November 1; United Torah Judaism’s leadership was meeting ahead of consultations. Joint List and Ra’am leaders are scheduled to meet November 2, their first meeting since the elections, pledging to do everything to replace Netanyahu’s government.
Amit Segal assessed that United Torah Judaism might not recommend Netanyahu. If Eisenkot receives more recommendations, Segal expects him to receive four weeks to form a government, potentially extended by two weeks. He doubted Netanyahu would receive the first opportunity.
Segal identified Bennett as pivotal to two leading scenarios: a minority government of forty-something Knesset members dependent on United Torah Judaism, Ra’am and the Joint List’s goodwill; or national unity with Netanyahu.
He assessed that Eisenkot would not want to join Netanyahu without Bennett and could not enter a government involving ultra-Orthodox and/or Arab parties without him.
Eisenkot could become prime minister in a minority coalition or an equal unity-government partner, Segal argued. Bennett could instead receive a senior ministry and suffer electoral damage for abandoning promises to draft ultra-Orthodox Jews and avoid sitting with Arab parties.
Another election could offer Bennett a better position, rather than leave Eisenkot campaigning from the Prime Minister’s Office. Segal said talks could extend beyond early 2027.
Segal also doubted Beyachad’s 12 members, seven representing Bennett and five Lapid, could enter a government together. Lapid has avoided serving with Netanyahu for over a decade, including during wartime and COVID; Segal doubted he would agree after October 7 merely for the Interior or Economy Ministry.
Joint List number four Bakr Awawda told Jordanian television that Eisenkot must abandon four campaign principles to form a government. These reportedly concern Israel’s recognition as a Jewish state, commitment to the Declaration of Independence, mandatory national service for everyone and recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Likud accused Eisenkot and his partners of breaking promises by pursuing a government with parties it described as supporting terrorism, and abandoning the ultra-Orthodox military draft for power after four years of attacks on that community.
