By 
JERUSALEM — Israel is facing the prospect of prolonged political deadlock after early election results showed no bloc securing a majority, with nearly 90 percent of ballots counted as of Thursday morning.
According to the Central Elections Committee, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc, which includes Likud, ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties, is projected to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot is expected to secure 48 seats, while Arab-led parties are projected to win 19 seats, a sharp increase from previous elections.
A coalition needs 61 seats to form a government. Tuesday’s election, which recorded a record turnout of 77.7 percent, has left both major blocs short of the threshold, raising the likelihood of lengthy coalition negotiations.
The outgoing government, which held 64 seats after the 2022 election, has suffered a significant setback. Despite the loss, Netanyahu’s Likud remains the largest single party with about 26 to 27 seats, ahead of Eisenkot’s Yashar party, which is projected to win about 21 to 22 seats. Analysts say the result underscores Netanyahu’s political survival despite fallout from the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and subsequent war in Gaza.
President Isaac Herzog is expected to begin consultations with party leaders once final results are certified on Thursday. The candidate deemed most likely to form a government will be given 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to negotiate a coalition. Until a new government is formed, Netanyahu will remain as caretaker prime minister.
