Israeli exit polls show deadlock, setback for Netanyahu

On Tuesday, Israeli wartime elections showed a deadlocked result according to exit polls, which may prove a setback for incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, should these projections prove accurate. Neither side emerged with a clear path to power, leaving rival Gadi Eisenkot's larger bloc in a position to potentially grant him the first opportunity to form a government.

While the deadlock could work in Netanyahu's favor, potentially allowing him to retain power in a caretaker role while parties attempt to create a governing coalition, the outlook is far from clear-cut. Voter turnout reached 77.7%, marking the highest rate in over two decades and a 7 percentage point increase compared to the 2022 election.

The three major Israeli networks updated their exit polls, giving Eisenkot's bloc a narrow two-seat advantage over Netanyahu's Likud-led camp, with a 52-50 split. The remaining 18 seats were distributed among unaligned Arab parties in the exit polls. However, Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party, has virtually dismissed the prospect of forming a government with them, which complicates his prospects of securing a majority, despite his bloc's slight edge. Some Israeli media outlets, including pro-Netanyahu channels, reported the findings.