Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political bloc was leading rival Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc in the country’s general election, according to preliminary results released on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. However, neither side had secured enough seats to form a government independently. The results showed a closely contested election, with political parties facing the challenge of building alliances to reach a parliamentary majority.
With 51.8% of the votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc had secured 55 seats in Israel’s 120-member parliament, while Eisenkot’s bloc held 49 seats. Arab-led parties were projected to win 16 seats. These figures were preliminary and could change as election officials counted the remaining votes.
Voter turnout was reported to be the highest in decades, highlighting the strong political divisions within Israeli society. Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister longer than any other leader in Israel’s history, has pursued policies associated with Jewish nationalism and a more conservative political direction. His leadership, security policies and approach to the conflict with Hamas have remained important issues for voters.
Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have expressed confidence in their ability to form the next government. However, the early results indicate that neither bloc has reached the 61 seats required for a majority in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. As a result, both sides may need support from other political parties to establish a functioning government.
Exit polls had also indicated a close contest, with both political camps projected to receive around 51 seats. These estimates showed that neither side was likely to secure an outright majority without additional political support. The final outcome will depend on the completed vote count and negotiations between the parties.
Arab-led political parties have emerged as an important factor in the election. Their projected 16 seats could influence discussions about the formation of the next government. Reports indicate that many Arab voters participated in the election to oppose Netanyahu’s policies and support political change. However, the views and priorities of Arab political parties differ, and their participation in any future coalition remains uncertain.
If Eisenkot’s bloc receives sufficient support from Arab-led parties, it could potentially reach the parliamentary majority needed to form a government. However, both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have ruled out forming coalitions that include Arab lawmakers, creating another obstacle to negotiations.
Even if Arab parties do not formally join a coalition, they could still play a role by supporting a minority government in important parliamentary votes. Such an arrangement would depend on agreements between the parties and their willingness to cooperate on specific issues.
The absence of a clear majority could lead to several weeks of political negotiations. Party leaders will need to discuss policies, government positions and possible agreements before a new administration can be formed. If these efforts fail, Israel could face another election.
Until a new government is established, Netanyahu will continue serving as caretaker prime minister. This arrangement allows the existing administration to remain in place while political parties work towards forming a new government.
Full election results were expected by Thursday evening or Friday morning, October 29–30, according to the report. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that his support had significantly helped Netanyahu’s campaign.
The final results and subsequent coalition talks will determine the future political direction of Israel. For now, the close contest has left both major blocs facing the challenge of securing enough parliamentary support to govern.