KEY POINTS
  • The move will end political deadlock in a country that has held three elections in less than a year.
  • An aide to Netanyahu tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting the prime minister's office to announce on Monday that he will enter into self-quarantine.
  • Israel has reported over 4,300 coronavirus cases, including 15 deaths. The country of nearly 9 million has put partial lockdown measures in place to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Blue and White Party Leader Benny Gantz speaks during a nomination ceremony on October 23, 2019 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Israel's leading opposition candidate, Benny Gantz, has agreed to form a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ending a political deadlock that forced three elections in less than a year.

The unexpected announcement sent shockwaves through Gantz's Blue and White party over the weekend, and comes after he warned former allies in the party that leading Israel into a fourth round of elections was not an option. Citing the coronavirus outbreak, he asked leaders to put "personal scores aside."