Who is Gadi Eisenkot, the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel?

Gadi Eisenkot, former chief of staff of the Israeli army, is the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections. Polls indicate a close race, with Eisenkot holding a slight lead. He resigned from Netanyahu's war cabinet after eight months, criticizing the prime minister's handling of the conflict with Hamas and the fate of Israeli hostages. Eisenkot advocates for an independent inquiry into the government's failures and supports mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews. However, he opposes a Palestinian state and is not against expanding settlements in the West Bank. Despite differences in style and background, both leaders share similar views on the Palestinian issue, with Eisenkot known for his controversial military doctrine. He aims to reduce international criticism of Israel and strengthen ties with the U.S.