Israeli election results show deadlock between Netanyahu and opposition as turnout reaches record high
Initial results and exit polls from Israel's legislative elections indicate a deadlocked parliament, leaving both Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot short of a majority.
Israel’s legislative elections—the first held since the October 7 attacks—ended in a political deadlock, according to initial exit polls and partial vote counts. Voter turnout reached 74.3% shortly before polls closed, marking the highest level recorded in the country since 1973.
Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc nor the opposition coalition led by Gadi Eisenkot appears positioned to secure a 61-seat majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Partial counts with over half the votes tallied placed Netanyahu's camp at roughly 55 seats, with opposition parties taking 49 seats and Arab parties holding 16. Disputes also emerged between Likud and rival parties over polling station closing times, leaving the final outcome and future government formation in complete uncertainty.
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 26, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCIsrael orders West Bank closure after fatal attack on soldiers in Hebron