Netanyahu bloc leads but falls short of majority in first post-October 7 election
LONDON PSqure Daily Correspondent
Israel has held its first general election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political survival on the line. With 85 percent of the ballots counted, Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies are leading but falling short of an outright majority, currently projected to secure 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset.
The vote follows three years of regional conflict, placing Netanyahu in a tight race against centrist rival Gadi Eisenkot. Because the prime minister has ruled out an alliance with Arab political factions, Eisenkot's opposition bloc is expected to negotiate with one or both of the Arab parties. These factions are now claiming a kingmaker role in the closely contested vote.
Amid the uncertainty, Netanyahu has raised allegations of electoral irregularities, prompting the election chief to launch an investigation into potential foreign interference. The final vote tally is expected within 48 hours, though an official declaration is unlikely before Thursday. Once the count concludes, the process of forming a new government could take days or weeks.
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