Announcing breakoff from former partner, chairs of Yesh Atid and Telem factions slam his 'disappointing decision' to 'crawl' into government with PM

Emerging deal with Likud will reportedly see Blue and White leader as either foreign or defense minister, to take over as PM in 18 months; Lapid to head opposition

Under reported deal, Netanyahu will hand over premiership to Gantz in September 2021, Ashkenazi will take defense portfolio and Chilli Trooper will be appointed justice minister

Blue and White leader opts for unity deal and aims to become prime minister 18 months from now, in a roller-coaster Israel where reality is changing by the day

Party leader submits candidacy to be Knesset speaker, suggesting he's considering joining unity government; move opposed by Yair Lapid

Likud incumbent will hand over to Blue and White rival in September 2021 under reported deal; angry Lapid heads to opposition; Gantz set to be Knesset speaker till unity deal done

A year of political deadlock has dissolved the informal traditions that once reined in Israeli political wrangling, and brought a new surge of rage to an old constitutional dispute

Conversation comes as rare sign of possible progress in negotiations for emergency government, after sides hitherto talked up unity but failed to actually move toward it

In speech to nation, president avoids naming Knesset speaker, who resigned and refused to comply with ruling ordering vote on his replacement

With all of Gantz's options to form government reportedly blocked, proposal would see centrist party back Netanyahu's steps to curb virus while tightening its hold on Knesset