Israeli parties begin coalition talks with all votes counted

Israeli politicians have commenced discussions on forming a government following the completion of vote counting in the nation's general election, which revealed neither incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his chief rival Gadi Eisenkot holds a clear path to power. Despite a surge in voter turnout, particularly in Arab communities, neither leader has secured the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

Netanyahu's Likud party emerged as the largest with 20.5% of the vote, while Eisenkot's Yashar party came in second with 16.1%. With all votes counted, Netanyahu's right-wing coalition partners secured 53 seats, while parties backing Eisenkot amassed 48 seats. Arab parties achieved a record performance, winning the remaining 19 seats.

The final tally has left Israel in a political limbo, with the President urging parties to negotiate a government formation without resorting to an early general election. Netanyahu's Likud-led bloc has 27 seats, while the group led by controversial ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich together hold seven and six seats respectively.

Additionally, two ultra-Orthodox parties contribute to the remaining seats. The opposition camp, led by former Prime Ministers Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett, holds 12 seats. The Arab Joint List, a coalition of Arab parties, secured 11 seats, with Raam party contributing eight seats. Despite various possibilities for forming a coalition, none appears easy, with leaders of the Arab parties offering their support to Netanyahu's opposition, a move that could potentially provide Eisenkot with a majority.

However, this arrangement could face significant controversy in Israel and some members of the Eisenkot bloc have ruled it out during the campaign. Talks to form a new government started immediately after the election results, with Eisenkot expressing his commitment to resolving the political crisis, but providing no specifics on the process.