Netanyahu holds narrow lead but falls short of majority in Israel election, early results show

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s grip on power is being tested as former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot challenges him in the race for the premiership.

Tuesday’s election was the first since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7, 2023. The poll has been described as one of the most consequential in the country’s history.

Partial results released by the Central Elections Committee on Wednesday showed the pro-Netanyahu bloc leading with 54 seats, against 48 for Eisenkot-led bloc. Both blocs need at least 61 seats to secure a majority in Knesset and form a government.

About 72.4 percent of ballot boxes had been counted as of this morning, according to the committee.

Arab parties, who had gathered 18 seats, could play a decisive role in determining which bloc forms the next government.

The Central Elections Commission said some 77.7 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots, the highest turnout in a Knesset election since 1999.

Eisenkot joined the war cabinet formed by Netanyahu after the October 7 attacks.

His son Gal, 25, and a nephew were killed in Gaza in December 2023, while another nephew died there in November 2024.

In June 2024, the former military chief quit the war cabinet, accusing Netanyahu of lacking a strategy to end the war.

Netanyahu, who is standing trial on corruption charges, has based his campaign on Israel’s “strategic victories” in conflicts across the Middle East and his close relationship with US President Donald Trump.

An inconclusive result could leave Israel in political limbo, with Netanyahu remaining in power in a caretaker capacity while parties try to forge a governing coalition.