US pushes for unity gov’t after Israeli elections, with Netanyahu resignation after peace on all fronts – report
Huckabee repudiates reports of meeting with Eisenkot: 'Fake news'
The Trump administration is advancing plans for a broad regional settlement in the Middle East following Israeli elections, with the possible formation of a unity government between current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot being a cornerstone, Israel Hayom claimed in a bombshell report on Thursday.
Less than two weeks ahead of the Israeli elections, neither bloc led by Netanyahu nor Eisenkot, who leads most polls, is projected to reach a majority.
One proposed framework for a regional settlement involves forming a unity government led by Israel’s two largest parties. International figures, primarily in the Middle East, and U.S. officials have reportedly begun contacting Israeli officials to explore the possibility of such an agreement.
Israel Hayom and Kan News reported that this includes a recent meeting between U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee and Eisenkot, though Huckabee has categorically denied this as “fake news.”
Another totally false story! There was no “secret” meeting. No such thing as a “secret meeting” @usembassyjlm as cams everywhere, check in with Marines. I’ve met with most of candidates as courtesy & introduction. Fake news!
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 15, 2026
Under the proposed arrangement, Netanyahu would serve as prime minister for up to two years, the remainder of U.S. President Donald Trump’s current term, before retiring from political life.
The goal would be to set up a broad government with parties from the left and right wings, while avoiding extremist elements, presumably referring to the parties of Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Israel Hayom cited a foreign diplomatic official as saying, “A narrow government will not be able to bring about changes and major diplomatic decisions as the Middle East deserves.”
Once accomplished, and after the Iranian regime is defeated, the official said Trump’s comprehensive Middle East plan could be advanced and a broad regional coalition based on the Abraham Accords could be established.
The report further noted that the plan is to end Israel’s wars across all fronts. Trump has already presented a detailed Gaza Peace Plan, while the White House is closely involved in negotiations between Israel and the governments in Syria and Lebanon.
In addition, the United States reportedly wants to reach new diplomatic agreements, particularly with Saudi Arabia. The Trump administration has reportedly tried to push the kingdom toward joining the Abraham Accords through offering enhanced security cooperation, including selling the advanced F-35 fighter jet and the establishment of a civilian nuclear facility.
Israel Hayom previously reported that Saudi Arabia had conditioned normalization with Israel on a change in the Israeli government. More recent reports suggested that the kingdom would also insist on a pathway toward Palestinian statehood, even if Israel offered military support against the Houthis.
Diplomatic officials told the newspaper that the framework could offer an opportunity for strategic change across the region while helping Israel by countering the global rise in anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism, preventing further sanctions and creating economic opportunities.
The report further noted that Israeli President Isaac Herzog is involved in these discussions, though his office quickly denied the claims. The president vowed earlier this week to “do absolutely everything I can to prevent repeat elections.”
In the same interview, Herzog declined to say whether he would consider offering a presidential pardon as part of an effort to help secure a coalition agreement. Trump has repeatedly urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu in his corruption trial in the past.
As for Eisenkot, the report said he would set several conditions for joining a unity government, including a firm commitment that Netanyahu would retire, the repeal of judicial reform laws passed by the current government, stronger checks and balances within the Israeli democracy, and a state commission of inquiry into the events of Oct. 7, 2023.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Huckabee strongly denied reports that he met with Eisenkot as part of discussions over this framework.
Responding to a post on 𝕏 about the Israel Hayom report, he called it a “fake news story.”
“This is absolutely NOT true. Not in the least. The US government is NOT trying to manipulate Israel’s election or telling [Netanyahu] what to do. Period. Full stop.”
In another 𝕏 post about a Jewish Insider report, Huckabee responded, “Another totally false story! There was no “secret” meeting. No such thing as a ‘secret meeting’ [as the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem] has cams everywhere, check in with Marines. I’ve met with most of candidates as courtesy & introduction. Fake news!”
The outlet had reported that Huckabee and Eisenkot had met “quietly” for the first time in recent days, with the discussion focusing on security concerns in Gaza and Judea and Samaria, including settler violence.
Citing a second source, the report noted that the discussion also “served as a reconnaissance move by Washington to gauge Eisenkot’s regional outlook.”
