Israel's president on Thursday tasked parliament with forming a government after its centrist speaker Benny Gantz failed to reach a unity deal with right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.&nbsp;

Following a March 2 election,&nbsp;Israel's third stalemate vote in less than a year, Gantz was given a four-week mandate to form a stable governing coalition.

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After he was elected speaker late last month, the ex-military chief pledged to forge an emergency unity government with the veteran premier who has been in office since 2009.&nbsp;

Gantz conceded that Netanyahu would lead that government as prime minister, at least to begin with, as&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;confronts the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

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After assuring President Reuven Rivlin that they were close to agreement, Gantz and Netanyahu were given until the end of Wednesday to reach a deal.&nbsp;

The deadline passed without any announcement of a breakthrough, although a joint statement issued on Thursday said the talks were ongoing.&nbsp;

"Upon finalisation of the meeting between the respective negotiating teams last night, it was concluded to continue discussions today, with the aim of reaching an agreement toward the establishment of a national emergency government," the statement said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Rivlin officially informed Gantz that his mandate had expired.&nbsp;

Rivlin "informed speaker of the Knesset Benny Gantz that he is entrusting the Knesset with the task of forming a government," a statement from his office said.&nbsp;

The president noted that neither Gantz nor Netanyahu currently has the backing of a majority of lawmakers in&nbsp;Israel's deeply divided 120-member parliament.&nbsp;

But as the country grapples with the coronavirus, Rivlin implored lawmakers to find a solution that enables&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;to avoid a fourth election.

A Netanyahu-Gantz deal would have given&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;its first stable government since December 2018 and a more representative leadership to guide it through the tough decisions that still have to be taken about the coronavirus shutdown and its devastating economic toll.

Israel's president on Thursday tasked parliament with forming a government after its centrist speaker Benny Gantz failed to reach a unity deal with right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel's president on Thursday tasked parliament with forming a government after its centrist speaker Benny Gantz failed to reach a unity deal with right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Following a March 2 election, Israel's third stalemate vote in less than a year, Gantz was given a four-week mandate to form a stable governing coalition. Also read: Netanyahu thanks India, PM Modi for delivering HCQ to Israel After he was elected speaker late last month, the ex-military chief pledged to forge an emergency unity government with the veteran premier who has been in office since 2009. Gantz conceded that Netanyahu would lead that government as prime minister, at least to begin with, as Israel confronts the coronavirus pandemic. Also read: Israel to reopen war bunker as a coronavirus containment zone? After assuring President Reuven Rivlin that they were close to agreement, Gantz and Netanyahu were given until the end of Wednesday to reach a deal. The deadline passed without any announcement of a breakthrough, although a joint statement issued on Thursday said the talks were ongoing. "Upon finalisation of the meeting between the respective negotiating teams last night, it was concluded to continue discussions today, with the aim of reaching an agreement toward the establishment of a national emergency government," the statement said. Meanwhile, Rivlin officially informed Gantz that his mandate had expired. Rivlin "informed speaker of the Knesset Benny Gantz that he is entrusting the Knesset with the task of forming a government," a statement from his office said. The president noted that neither Gantz nor Netanyahu currently has the backing of a majority of lawmakers in Israel's deeply divided 120-member parliament. But as the country grapples with the coronavirus, Rivlin implored lawmakers to find a solution that enables Israel to avoid a fourth election. A Netanyahu-Gantz deal would have given Israel its first stable government since December 2018 and a more representative leadership to guide it through the tough decisions that still have to be taken about the coronavirus shutdown and its devastating economic toll.

Israel MPs tasked with ending deadlock over unity government

Israel's ex-military chief Benny Gantz called for an emergency unity government after being elected parliament speaker Thursday, likely leading to an alliance with his rival Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to tackle coronavirus.&nbsp;

"These are unusual times and they call for unusual decisions," Gantz told the Knesset, Israel's parliament, after his election to the post of speaker.&nbsp;

"That is why I intend to explore the formation of an emergency unity government," he added.

His words and election as speaker come after Israel's third inconclusive national polls in less than a year on March 2.&nbsp;

Gantz, a centrist, and the right-wing Netanyahu have both failed to secure enough support to form a stable coalition following each of the three national elections. &nbsp;

The coronavirus pandemic, including more than 2,600 confirmed Israeli cases, has spurred widespread calls for a temporary unity government to end the deadlock.&nbsp;

"The people of Israel are justifiably looking to us and expecting us to keep supporting the sacred battle against coronavirus and its effects," Gantz said.&nbsp;

While attention has immediately turned to details of the expected unity deal, Gantz's move has also triggered an apparent break-up of his centrist bloc.&nbsp;

Top allies of Blue and White, the centrist party he led, on Thursday announced a break with Gantz, likely over his willingness to strike a deal with Netanyahu. &nbsp;

Israel's ex-military chief Benny Gantz called for an emergency unity government after being elected parliament speaker Thursday, likely leading to an alliance with his rival Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to tackle coronavirus.

Israel's ex-military chief Benny Gantz called for an emergency unity government after being elected parliament speaker Thursday, likely leading to an alliance with his rival Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to tackle coronavirus. "These are unusual times and they call for unusual decisions," Gantz told the Knesset, Israel's parliament, after his election to the post of speaker. "That is why I intend to explore the formation of an emergency unity government," he added. His words and election as speaker come after Israel's third inconclusive national polls in less than a year on March 2. Gantz, a centrist, and the right-wing Netanyahu have both failed to secure enough support to form a stable coalition following each of the three national elections. The coronavirus pandemic, including more than 2,600 confirmed Israeli cases, has spurred widespread calls for a temporary unity government to end the deadlock. "The people of Israel are justifiably looking to us and expecting us to keep supporting the sacred battle against coronavirus and its effects," Gantz said. While attention has immediately turned to details of the expected unity deal, Gantz's move has also triggered an apparent break-up of his centrist bloc. Top allies of Blue and White, the centrist party he led, on Thursday announced a break with Gantz, likely over his willingness to strike a deal with Netanyahu.

Israel's Gantz calls for 'emergency unity government'

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Israel MPs tasked with ending deadlock over unity government

Israel's Gantz calls for 'emergency unity government'