Israel Election Exit Polls: Netanyahu ahead, but can he secure majority? What we know about results, largest party

An updated Israel election exit poll has revealed a dramatic shift in the race for power. The pro-Netanyahu bloc, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, has taken the lead with 52 seats, according to Channel 12's updated projections. However, the opposition bloc is not far behind, with 49 seats, as reported by the same source.

The exit polls show no clear path to a majority for either coalition, as they are both projected to fall short of the required 61 seats for a majority government. The two Arab parties are holding the balance, with 19 seats to split between them. Neither bloc is projected to win the necessary 62 seats out of 120 to form a majority government.

Israel’s coalition-based parliamentary system means that the party with the most seats does not automatically form the government, and it would need to build a coalition with enough parliamentary support.