Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc secures 53 seats in Israel's election, narrowly edging out rival Gadi Eisenkot's 48, as partial results show. With 85% of votes counted, both blocs remain short of the 61 needed for a majority, leaving the path to government formation uncertain.
Netanyahu's bloc, comprising right-wing, far-right, and ultra-Orthodox parties, is projected to win 53 seats, while Eisenkot's opposition bloc is on track for 48. Arab-Israeli parties, set to claim 19 seats, could emerge as key players in coalition negotiations, though most Jewish parties have ruled out working with them.
President Isaac Herzog is urging political leaders to approach coalition talks with an open mind, aiming to avoid another election. Neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot can govern alone, and a unity government or new election could determine the next leadership, with Netanyahu's incumbency and support from the US seen as critical factors in securing a coalition.
Arab-Israeli parties' influence and the potential for a unity government under Netanyahu remain unresolved, with analysts suggesting either a broader coalition or a second election could resolve the deadlock, though Netanyahu's position as the incumbent gives him a strategic advantage.