Israeli exit polls show huge Palestinian gains block Netanyahu and Eisenkot from forming majority

Israel's election results on Tuesday showed a deadlock between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot, according to exit polls. Neither leader appeared to have a clear path to power, with the country experiencing record turnout in a wartime vote. The stalemate could potentially work in Netanyahu's favor, allowing him to remain in power while other parties attempt to form a governing coalition.

Final results might take days, and Israel's fragmented political system means that smaller parties could have the power to make or break a coalition. No single party has ever won 61 seats out of the 120-seat Knesset, making coalitions the norm. The vote saw a surge in voter participation as Israelis judged Netanyahu following the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023 and the subsequent wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that Netanyahu's bloc had suffered a "crushing defeat" and the public had told them to leave office. Eisenkot's bloc had most seats but no majority, with the remaining seats going to unaligned Arab parties. Some media outlets, including pro-Netanyahu Channel 14, projected a stronger showing for Netanyahu, claiming they would collectively win 60 seats.

Long lines formed outside polling stations as voters grappled with the trauma of Israel's deadliest day and the ongoing wars. Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for nearly 19 of the past 30 years, faced corruption charges and criticism over intelligence failures that allowed Hamas to kill 1,200 people and take 251 hostages.

His main challenger, Eisenkot, a hawkish former military chief, emphasized his security credentials and domestic centrist stance. Many of Netanyahu's opponents sought accountability for the security failures of October 7, which his coalition has resisted. Netanyahu urged supporters to vote, calling it a "fateful moment," while emphasizing the importance of the elections in his political career.