Netanyahu leads Eisenkot bloc by 13 seats in Israeli election

A preliminary update from Israel's Central Elections Committee on Tuesday showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition leading Gadi Eisenkot's bloc by 13 seats. Final results are expected in the coming days.

According to Al Arabiya, the committee reported that Netanyahu's camp secured 59 seats after 28% of votes were counted, compared to 46 for Eisenkot. The winning side needs 61 seats for a majority in the 120-member Knesset, which is required to form a government.

The committee also noted voter turnout reached 77.7 percent, the highest in 20 years and about seven percentage points higher than the previous election in 2022.

Projections suggest government formation talks could last for weeks amid complex political negotiations. This deadlock may allow Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, to remain in office as caretaker prime minister during coalition talks.

Far-right religious parties led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are expected to win a combined 13 seats within Netanyahu's bloc.