Israel vote count: Netanyahu bloc leads with 56 seats, short of majority

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc moved ahead as votes were counted in Israel's parliamentary election, but remained short of a majority. With 66.2 per cent of ballots counted on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, parties backing Netanyahu were on course for 56 of the Knesset's 120 seats, the bloc led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar party for 48, and Arab parties for 16, according to the running count reported by Israeli media. A government needs the support of 61 members. The count reverses the order suggested by Tuesday night's exit polls, which had put Eisenkot's side slightly ahead. Turnout was reported at 77.7 per cent, the highest in 25 years.

The partial count suggests that Netanyahu has gained ground since the exit polls, but the arithmetic remains difficult for both sides. With 56 seats, his bloc would need five more members to form a government, and the parties outside it are mostly committed to replacing him. Eisenkot's bloc, at 48, could reach a majority only with the backing of Arab parties, something several parties in both camps have ruled out in the past. That makes the Arab parties potential kingmakers, even though it is unclear whether either side will accept their support.

Numbers can still move. Double-envelope ballots, cast by soldiers, diplomats and others away from their home polling stations, are verified before they are added, and in past elections they have shifted one or two seats. Small parties near the electoral threshold can also gain or lose all their seats with a small change in votes, which can tip the balance between blocs.

Once the final results are certified, President Isaac Herzog will consult each party in the new Knesset and then ask the lawmaker with the best chance of forming a coalition to try. If no one succeeds, Israel could face another election. Several reports also point to pressure within Netanyahu's camp, with far-right politician Itamar Ben Gvir warning the prime minister against forming a unity government with Eisenkot.

For India, the outcome matters because Israel is a close defence and technology partner, and because the next government will shape the course of the conflicts in the region that have pushed up oil prices. A stable government in Israel would affect security in West Asia, where millions of Indians live and work.

Short-term: Counting continues, and the final result, including double-envelope votes, will decide whether Netanyahu's bloc can get closer to 61. Parties will begin manoeuvring for coalition talks.

Long-term: If neither side can form a government, Israel may face a prolonged period of caretaker rule or another election, which would delay major policy decisions on security and the economy.

Who is affected: Israeli voters and parties, Arab citizens of Israel whose parties hold the balance, Israel's neighbours and partners in the region, and countries such as India with deep defence and trade ties to Israel.

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