By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Israel's general election has ended in a deadlock, with exit polls indicating no party is on track to secure a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.
The stalemate follows three years of war in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran that have roiled the Middle East. The vote was widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is seeking another term after a combined 19 years in power.
Election system and timeline
Israel uses nationwide proportional representation with 38 parties contesting. A party must surpass 3.25% of the vote to enter the Knesset. Polls closed at 10 p.m. local time; official results are expected by November 4, but coalition negotiations could extend the process from 20 to 100 days. Historically, no government has been sworn in within 50 days.
Key issues at stake
Major issues include military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews, a state inquiry into the failure to prevent the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, future concessions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon, and the soaring cost of living driven by a defense budget that has doubled since 2023.
Competing blocs and exit poll numbers
Two main blocs of nearly equal weight are vying for power. Netanyahu's far-right alliance is challenged by an opposition camp led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party. Exit polls from major Israeli TV stations show Netanyahu's bloc at 50 seats, the opposition at 52-53 seats, and Arab parties at 17-18 seats.
Potential outcomes
Analysts say neither bloc is likely to reach the 61-seat majority needed to govern. Dr. Nimrod Nir of Agam Labs outlined three scenarios: a unity government joining Netanyahu with more liberal parties, an alternative coalition backed by Arab parties, or a repeat election.
