Israel exit polls show opposition leading but short of majority

Supporters of Gadi Eisenkot gathered in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night to celebrate after exit polls gave the Israeli opposition bloc a narrow lead over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's camp. Euronews reported that neither side achieved an outright majority in the 120-seat Knesset. [1]

According to Euronews, projections put the anti-Netanyahu bloc at 52 to 53 seats against around 50 seats for the prime minister and his allies. Both coalitions fall short of the 61 seats required to form a majority government. Euronews noted that Likud remains the largest single party with 24 to 25 seats, while Eisenkot's Yashar party is projected to finish second with 21 to 23 seats. [1]

Eisenkot declared victory following the release of the projections and stated that the results grant him the first right to form a new government, Euronews reported. His supporters chanted in Tel Aviv as figures appeared on giant screens. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, this vote represents the first national election in Israel since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Ahead of the vote, Netanyahu warned that Israel must prepare for potential global sanctions. [4][5]