Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political bloc is leading with a projected 55 seats as more than half of the votes in Israel’s parliamentary election have been counted, according to the latest results reported by Al Jazeera.
Citing The Times of Israel, Al Jazeera reported that Netanyahu’s bloc is projected to secure 55 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the opposition is expected to win 49 seats. Arab-led parties are projected to secure the remaining 16 seats.
Data from Israel’s Central Elections Committee shows that approximately 2.8 million ballots, representing 56% of the total, have been counted.
Netanyahu’s Likud party remains the largest individual party with 20.7% of the vote, followed by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party with 16.7%.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s Together alliance is in third place with 9%.
Despite leading the count, Netanyahu’s bloc remains six seats short of the 61 required to secure a parliamentary majority and form a government.
The latest figures suggest that coalition negotiations could be crucial in determining Israel’s next government.
The election comes amid deep political divisions over Netanyahu’s leadership, the Gaza war, regional security and demands for accountability over the October 7, 2023, attacks.
The results remain preliminary, with further changes possible as election officials continue counting ballots. (Newswire)