Israel is set to hold a general election on October 27, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, its first since Hamas' 2023 attack and the wars that ensued in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Iran.
The precise ballot date had been unclear since the Israeli parliament voted in May to disband, raising the possibility the election could be held early.
However, coalition head Ofir Katz told a parliamentary committee on Sunday that the original October 27 date set by law would be kept.
Opinion polls suggest it could prove difficult for both Netanyahu's camp and the opposition to secure a majority.
Israeli coalitions are usually composed of several parties.
Former Israeli defence chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as the main rival to the incumbent months ahead of the vote.
Eisenkot's new centrist party, Yashar! (Hebrew for "Straight!"), is rapidly gaining popularity and even took first place from Netanyahu's conservative Likud Party and coalition of nationalist and religious parties in a recent opinion poll.
Eisenkot served as defence chief from 2015 to 2019, then entered politics.
The 66-year-old studied political science in Haifa and is seen as an expert on the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.
The son of Moroccans, he was born in Tiberias in northern Israel.
He is a father of five and is seen as being a down-to-earth character.
Eisenkot's son and two of his nephews were killed in the Gaza Strip war.
Many Israelis sympathise with his losses which stand in contrast to Netanyahu's experience: the prime minister's son Yair has been living abroad since the war began in October 2023 and did not serve in a combat unit.
Less than a year after a 2022 political comeback, Netanyahu's security credentials were left in tatters by Hamas' surprise attack on October 7, 2023.
Polls show many are unhappy with Netanyahu over the outcome of the Iran war.
It is rare for governments in Israel to complete a full four-year term.
Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving leader and has proven himself an unmatched political survivor.
Parliament is due to hold its last session before the vote on July 17.
with Reuters