World
Israel election shows no clear winner as Netanyahu faces challenge
Exit polls released after voting closed in Israel's election indicate neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc nor his main challenger Gadi Eisenkot secured a majority.
Israelis voted in high numbers on Tuesday and Wednesday, with turnout reaching levels not seen in 50 years. Exit polls released as voting closed showed Netanyahu's bloc and Eisenkot's bloc each winning approximately 51 seats, with Arab-led parties gaining around 18 seats. The results pointed to a deadlocked parliament where neither major grouping appeared positioned to command a majority.
Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving premier, voted shortly after midday. According to early exit polling and partial results reported by multiple outlets, Netanyahu's bloc initially appeared ahead with 57 seats against 47 for the opposition. However, exit polls suggested neither side had a clear path to forming a government without additional support.
The election took place as Israel's first electoral contest since October 7. Multiple news organisations described the outcome as a rebuke to Netanyahu's bloc, though the actual distribution of seats remained contested between initial exit polls and partial results.
Arab-led parties could emerge as pivotal players in subsequent coalition negotiations. According to reports, these parties could prove crucial in determining which bloc might eventually secure the numbers needed to form a government.
Final official results were expected within 48 hours, though a complete tally was unlikely before Thursday. Even with final numbers confirmed, the process of forming a government could extend over days or weeks.
President Isaac Herzog faced the responsibility of determining which candidate he deemed best placed to form a government once results were finalised.