Netanyahu's Bloc Leads Israel Election with 53 Seats, Falls Short of Majority in Partial Results

With 85% of ballots counted in Israel's parliamentary election, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc is projected to secure 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, according to partial results. That leaves the bloc eight seats short of the 61 needed to form a government, raising the prospect of protracted coalition negotiations or even a fifth election in under four years. Netanyahu's Likud party remains the largest single faction, but the performance of his allies—including the far-right Religious Zionism party and ultra-Orthodox parties—will determine whether he can return to power. The preliminary tally suggests a deeply divided electorate, with the anti-Netanyahu camp, led by incumbent Prime Minister Yair Lapid, holding a comparable number of seats. The final outcome hinges on the remaining 15% of votes, including those of soldiers, diplomats, and citizens in quarantine, which could shift the balance. Israel's political deadlock has paralyzed governance on key issues such as the economy, security, and relations with the Palestinians. If no bloc reaches a majority, the country could face months of instability and another round of elections.