Israel Election Final Results: Netanyahu Bloc Wins 53 Seats, No Clear Majority

Final results from Israel's election show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and its right-wing allies secured 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, short of the 61 needed to form a government. The main opposition bloc, led by Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, won 48 seats, leaving neither side with a clear path to power. The outcome sets the stage for intense coalition negotiations or the possibility of another election. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, faces a complex political landscape with potential kingmakers including the Arab-majority Joint List and the right-wing Yamina party led by Naftali Bennett. The deadlock reflects deep divisions over Netanyahu's leadership amid his ongoing corruption trial and policy issues such as the economy and security. Israel may be headed for prolonged political uncertainty as parties maneuver to break the impasse.