What to know about the Israeli elections as Netanyahu faces a battle for survival

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1. 1h ago

   Israel Faces Deadlock After General Election

   Israel faces the prospect of political deadlock after neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, secured an outright majority in Tuesday's general election. Netanyahu has not won, but he has not lost yet, leaving him to prevent his rivals from forming their own government. Thousands of Israelis previously returned home through Ben Gurion Airport ahead of the vote, participating in what was described as a carnival atmosphere to cast ballots in an election shaped by war, security, and coalition math.

   Why it matters

   Benjamin Netanyahu entered the election following three years of managing war, crisis, and global outcry during one of the most significant electoral tests of his decades-long political career. The general election served as a referendum on his leadership, with wide-open polls focusing heavily on national security and his political survival. Both major figures now face a complicated battle over coalition math to determine who will ultimately cling to or seize power.

   What is confirmed

   • Israel held a general election on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
   • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and main rival Gadi Eisenkot both lack an outright majority, leading to the prospect of political deadlock.
   • Thousands of Israelis returned home through Ben Gurion Airport to vote in the election.

   What to watch next

   • Whether Netanyahu or his rivals can successfully build a governing coalition
   • The official final certified election results
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. www.cnn.com — Israel is holding its most important election in years. Here ...
   2. The New York Times — Opinion | How Netanyahu Could Cling to Power
   3. AP News — A look at the main issues in Israeli elections seen as a referendum on Netanyahu
   4. Reuters — Who are the leading candidates in Israel's election?
   5. The Guardian — What you need to know about the most consequential election in Israel’s history
   6. NBC News — What to know about the Israeli elections as Netanyahu faces a battle for survival
   7. The Times of Israel — Join Tuesday’s ToI livestream: Israel’s election results, analyzed
   8. WSJ — What’s on the Line as Israelis Prepare to Vote
   9. The Times of Israel — Carnival atmosphere at Ben Gurion Airport as thousands of Israelis come home to vote
   10. CBS News — Israel's elections are wide open. Here's what could decide Netanyahu's political fate.
   11. Axios — The anti-Bibi candidate who has Netanyahu on his heels
   12. www.nbcnews.com — What to know about the Israeli elections as Netanyahu faces a battle for survival
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