Early vote counting leaves both political blocs short of a parliamentary majority as Israel faces coalition negotiations following its first general election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.
Web Desk: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot are seeking to lead the country after an inconclusive general election, with early results indicating that neither political bloc has secured the parliamentary majority required to form a government.
Netanyahu called for the formation of a strong right-wing government, while Eisenkot argued that voters had rejected the incumbent prime minister and urged him to leave politics. Neither leader had declared victory as vote counting continued.
The election, held on Tuesday, was Israel’s first general vote since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent wars involving Israel, Hamas and other regional actors. The outcome has left the country facing potentially prolonged negotiations over its next government.
Early results leave both blocs short of a majority
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has 120 seats, meaning a government needs the support of at least 61 lawmakers to secure a majority.
Initial exit polls offered differing projections. Broadcaster Kan 11 and Channel 13 put the main political blocs at 51 seats each, while Channel 12 gave Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc a narrow lead. Subsequent reporting based on partial vote counting showed Netanyahu’s bloc projected at 55 seats, Eisenkot’s at 50 and Arab parties at 15, with about 48.4% of votes counted at that stage. These figures remain provisional and should not be treated as final results.
The uncertainty leaves both camps with difficult coalition-building challenges. Smaller parties could play a decisive role, while the final distribution of seats may change as the remaining ballots are counted.
Netanyahu calls for a right-wing government
Addressing supporters at Likud election headquarters in Jerusalem, Netanyahu called for a “strong, right-wing national government” and highlighted what he described as Israel’s military achievements.
He also pointed to the possibility of renewed joint action with US President Donald Trump against Iran, framing the country’s security challenges as a central priority.
The projected outcome would represent a setback for Netanyahu’s nationalist-religious coalition, which previously held a much larger parliamentary position. However, the lack of a clear alternative majority could allow him to remain caretaker prime minister while political parties negotiate over the formation of a new government.
Eisenkot says voters want a change in leadership
Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and a former military chief, said the public had voted against Netanyahu continuing as prime minister. He also warned against using national security concerns for political purposes.
Eisenkot has presented himself as an alternative to Netanyahu’s leadership while maintaining a hard-line position on several security issues. He previously joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet following the October 2023 attack but left months later, criticising the prime minister’s leadership.
Despite his challenge to Netanyahu, Eisenkot also faces obstacles in assembling a governing coalition. His reluctance to rely on Arab parties could limit his options if those parties hold enough seats to influence the outcome.
Arab parties could influence coalition negotiations
Arab political parties outside the two principal blocs could become important in determining which side is able to form a government. Their influence will depend on the final seat count and the willingness of other parties to negotiate with them.
The election also saw strong turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel, according to reporting from the election night. Overall voter turnout was reported at 77.7%, its highest level in more than two decades, according to Israel’s Central Elections Committee.
Security and the wars weigh on the election
The vote took place against the backdrop of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, the war in Gaza and subsequent regional confrontations. Netanyahu has defended his security record by pointing to military operations against Israel’s adversaries, while critics have questioned his government’s handling of the security failures surrounding the 2023 attack.
Eisenkot has argued that Israel’s response has failed to achieve its objectives, pointing to Hamas’s continued presence. His challenge therefore combines criticism of Netanyahu’s leadership with a security platform that remains hawkish on Hamas.
