FILE PHOTO: Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz speaks at the party's headquarters following the announcement of exit polls during Israel's parliamentary election in Tel Aviv, Israel September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Benny Gantz, the main political challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has failed to form a new government by the deadline set after he tied with the incumbent in a September election, his centrist party said on Wednesday.

The Blue and White party made the announcement before a midnight deadline set by Israel’s president for Gantz, following a similar failed bid by Netanyahu to build a coalition.