Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli army chief and founder of the centrist Yashar party, is positioning himself as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuin the upcoming election. Campaigning on accountability, political reform, and national unity, Eisenkot has sharply criticized Netanyahu's leadership before and after the October 7 Hamas attacks.

While backing Israel's military operations, he argues the government lacks a clear strategy and has called for an independent inquiry into the failures surrounding the attacks. His military record and personal loss in the Gaza war have strengthened his standing among many voters.