Guwahati: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc is leading its rival opposition alliance but remain short of a parliamentary majority on Wednesday, October 28, as more than half the votes were counted in Israel’s general election.

With 51.8% of ballots counted, Netanyahu’s bloc was projected to win 55 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot had 49 seats. Arab parties were projected to secure the remaining 16 seats, according to partial results that could change as counting progresses.

Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot have vowed to form a government despite neither bloc appearing to have secured a majority. The results point to potentially difficult coalition negotiations, with the possibility of a prolonged political deadlock if the rival camps fail to reach an agreement.

The election drew the highest voter turnout in decades, giving voters a chance to deliver their verdict on Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, whose governments have shifted the country sharply to the right. His tenure has also been marked by multiple military campaigns following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

Exit polls had indicated a close contest, with Eisenkot, a former military chief and political newcomer, and his opposition alliance running neck and neck with Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc. Both camps were projected to win around 51 seats, well below the 61 required for a majority.

Arab Israeli parties recorded significant gains, with their supporters turning out in large numbers against Netanyahu, whose government has repeatedly emphasised Jewish nationalism. The partial results suggested that Eisenkot’s alliance could potentially secure a parliamentary majority with the support of Arab parties.

However, Eisenkot had said during the campaign that he would not form a government with Arab lawmakers, reflecting a position also taken by Netanyahu, who has argued that a government dependent on Arab support would lack legitimacy.

Arab lawmakers could still support an opposition-led minority government in parliamentary votes without formally joining a coalition.

The absence of a clear majority for either camp could lead to weeks of negotiations to form a government. If the talks fail, Israel could face another election. In the meantime, Netanyahu would remain caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.

Full results are expected by Thursday evening or Friday morning, October 29-30.

Netanyahu addressed cheering supporters at a convention centre in Jerusalem shortly after 3 am on Wednesday. He called for a strong right-wing government and urged the Jewish and Zionist majority to unite, but stopped short of claiming victory.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his endorsement had helped Netanyahu significantly.