Gadi Eisenkot Enters the Battle for Political Change After Losing His Son, Vows to Hold Netanyahu Government Accountable

Israel | November 8, 2026
By Shabu Zaidi

Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot has emerged as one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strongest political rivals. His 25-year-old son, Gal Meir Eisenkot, died in December 2023 after being critically injured in a Hamas explosion in Jabalia, northern Gaza, during the Gaza war. He also lost two nephews in the conflict.

Eisenkot has said that this personal tragedy has further strengthened his sense of responsibility towards his country. He has pledged to establish an independent state commission of inquiry to investigate the Netanyahu government’s policies and the security failures surrounding the October 7 attacks.

On November 7, President Isaac Herzog gave him the first opportunity to form a new government. However, his appointment as prime minister is not yet certain.

If he comes to power, will he hold the Netanyahu government accountable and pursue legal action over its decisions? This remains one of the major questions in Israeli politics.

Factual clarification: It would be premature to claim that Eisenkot intends to directly hold Netanyahu responsible for his son’s death or initiate legal proceedings against him. His stated priority is an independent investigation into the war and the security failures of October 7.