Israeli election count remains deadlocked
The gist
Israel's election count shows neither Netanyahu's nor Eisenkot's bloc near the 61 seats needed for a majority.
Record 77.7% turnout leaves coalition talks, not a winner, as the next step.
How it unfolded
- Oct 27, 2026Israel holds its national election, the first since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack and the ensuing wars. Turnout reaches 77.7%, the highest in more than two decades, according to the Central Elections Committee.
- Oct 27, 2026With nearly 10% of ballots counted, Likud has 25.34% of the vote against 16.6% for Eisenkot's Yashar party, the Associated Press reports. Broadcasters' exit polls diverge sharply, from a 51-51 tie to a 52-50 edge for Eisenkot's bloc.
- Oct 28, 2026With just over half the vote counted, Netanyahu's bloc appears slightly ahead, but it is projected to fall short of the 61 seats needed for a majority. Netanyahu and Eisenkot offer competing claims to lead, and neither claims victory.