Netanyahu bloc leads partial Israeli election count, but no camp has majority

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc moved ahead in Israel’s election count early Wednesday, reversing an initial edge for the opposition in exit polls, but neither side had secured the 61 seats needed to govern.

With a substantial share of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious alliance was projected to take 56 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the opposition camp led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot was projected to win 48. Arab parties were forecast to hold the remaining 16 seats, potentially giving them an influential role in coalition negotiations. The final distribution could change as counting continues, including ballots from military bases, hospitals and diplomatic missions.

Turnout reached 77.7%, according to Israel’s Central Elections Committee, the highest level since 1999. The vote was Israel’s first national election since the Hamas-led attacks of October 2023 and the wars that followed.

Exit polls released after voting ended had shown Eisenkot’s bloc narrowly ahead, although Likud was projected to remain the largest single party. Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot expressed confidence that they would form the next government.

Coalition talks could take weeks or months. Israel’s president will select a lawmaker to attempt to assemble a governing majority after the final results are established. If no candidate succeeds, Israel could face another election.