Israeli election results remain inconclusive as exit polls show dead heat
Israel's election remains tight as exit polls and partial counts leave Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot without a clear majority.
Israel's legislative elections remain deadlocked as updated exit polls and partial counts show neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot securing a clear 61-seat majority.
Following a record voter turnout of 74.3%—the highest recorded since 1973—television exit polls present conflicting pictures. Updated projections from Channels 11 and 13 place both coalitions in a dead heat, while Channel 12 gives Eisenkot's opposition bloc a narrow lead of 52 seats over Netanyahu's 50.
Meanwhile, official partial tallies covering roughly 52% of counted ballots grant Likud and its right-wing allies 55 seats, the opposition 49 seats, and Arab parties 16 seats. Disagreements also emerged between Likud and political rivals over polling station closing times. With neither major camp reaching a majority, political uncertainty persists as counting continues.
Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, Le Soir, RTBF Info.
Sources
- Libération — Législatives en Israël : le Likoud et ses rivaux s’écharpent sur l’heure des fermetures des bureaux de vote
- Le Monde — EN DIRECT, législatives en Israël : les premières estimations favorables à l’opposition, mais l’incertitude sur une future majorité est complète
- Le Soir — Législatives en Israël : Netanyahou et Eisenkot sans majorité
- Le Figaro — Législatives en Israël : de nouveaux sondages de sortie des urnes donnent désormais Eisenkot et Netanyahou à égalité
- RTBF Info — Direct – Elections en Israël : aucune majorité après dépouillement de la moitié des voix, le suspens reste total
Earlier coverage
- Oct 28, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCUpdated exit polls and partial counts leave Israeli election outcome uncertain
- Oct 28, 2026, 10:30 AM UTCIsraeli election results show deadlock between Netanyahu and opposition as turnout reaches record high
- Oct 26, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCIsrael orders West Bank closure after fatal attack on soldiers in Hebron