Israeli President Isaac Herzog has asked former military chief Gadi Eisenkot to form the country's next government, putting Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines after an election that left both camps short of a majority.

Herzog told Eisenkot of the choice on Saturday evening and will hand him the formal mandate at a ceremony on Sunday. Eisenkot leads the Yashar party and headed Israel's armed forces from 2015 to 2019.

Sixty-seven members of the incoming Knesset backed Eisenkot for the job during the president's consultations this week. Forty-six backed Netanyahu. The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party made no recommendation.

A 28-day clock

Eisenkot now has 28 days to assemble a coalition that can command at least 61 of the Knesset's 120 seats. The president may grant one 14-day extension if talks stall.

In last month's Oct. 27 vote Eisenkot's four-party bloc won 48 seats. Netanyahu's right-wing and religious alliance won 53. Arab-led parties took a record 19 seats and most of them recommended Eisenkot to the president.

Paths that all carry risk

Eisenkot has said he wants a national emergency government built around his own bloc. Reaching 61 seats would still require help from outside that group.

Pulling in the ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism would land him at exactly 61. Relying on outside support from Arab-led parties without bringing them into the cabinet is another route under discussion. Either choice could anger parts of his own alliance.

Netanyahu pushes back

Hours before the announcement Netanyahu called for a unity government that he would lead and warned against any deal that leaned on Arab-led parties. Eisenkot's camp rejected that appeal as political spin.

If Eisenkot cannot form a government in time Herzog can turn to another candidate. A second failure can open a short final window for a third nominee. If that also fails Israel would head to a new election within 90 days with Netanyahu staying on as caretaker.