The Israel election results counted so far leave neither main camp with a majority. After Tuesday’s vote, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc was on about 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, with Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc on about 48, according to ynet. Around half a million special ballots are still to be counted.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- With 85.6% of votes counted, ynet projected 53 seats for Netanyahu’s bloc, 48 for Eisenkot’s bloc and 19 for the Arab parties, so no camp reached 61.
- Turnout was 77.7%, the highest since 1999, Israel’s Central Elections Committee said, as reported by NBC News.
- Official results are due by November 4, and President Isaac Herzog plans to start consulting parties next week, Axios reported.
What do the Israel election results show so far?
The count points to a split parliament. With 93% of polling stations reporting on Wednesday, ynet put Likud first with 26 seats. Eisenkot’s new party, Yashar!, came second with 21.
Next came Beyachad, the list headed by ex-premier Naftali Bennett, level with the Joint List at 12 or 13 seats apiece. The Democrats had 8. Yisrael Beytenu, United Torah Judaism, Shas, Otzma Yehudit and Ra’am were each around 6 to 7, and the Religious Zionism-Zehut list had 6.
The real count also moved away from Tuesday night’s exit polls. Three of Israel’s main broadcasters had shown Eisenkot’s bloc ahead by 52 seats to 50, NBC News reported. Channel 14, which leans toward Netanyahu, had his camp on 60. Axios noted that Netanyahu ran ahead of those early projections once actual ballots came in. Even so, his bloc is on pace for 11 fewer seats than it holds today.
Arab-led parties are a big part of the story. Together they were heading for about 19 seats, which Axios described as a record.
When will the final Israel election results be known?
Not for several days. Israel counts “double-envelope” ballots separately. These come from soldiers, diplomats and other voters who cast ballots away from their home polling station.
A Central Elections Committee official told ynet that more than half a million such ballots were expected. Counting was due to start around midnight and finish on Thursday evening, Israel time. Axios reported that these votes could nudge seat totals but are unlikely to change the overall balance. Even after that, the numbers stay “nearly final” until further checks next week. The official results must be published within eight days of election day, which means by November 4, according to NBC News.
| Date | What is expected | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, October 29 (evening, Israel time) | Special double-envelope ballots finish counting | ynet |
| Week of November 2 | New Knesset sworn in; President Herzog begins consulting parties | Axios |
| By Wednesday, November 4 | Official results published | NBC News |
Why does it matter?
This was Israel’s first national election since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. It also came during an ongoing US-Israeli confrontation with Iran, NBC News noted. So the result shapes how Israel handles security, Gaza and its relations with the United States and Europe.
A deadlock also has practical effects. Netanyahu’s government continues in a caretaker role while talks go on, ynet explained. A caretaker government keeps its formal powers, but by convention it is expected to avoid big, irreversible decisions. Markets noticed the uncertainty, too: ynet reported that the shekel weakened as results came in.
What led to this vote?
The campaign was a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership after October 7. Netanyahu, 77, ran on his record and his close ties with President Donald Trump. Eisenkot, a former military chief, led a bloc that promised change after three years of war.
Turnout was unusually high. About 5.7 million people voted, up 7.1% from 2022, the Central Elections Committee said, according to NBC News. Turnout among military personnel reached 79.9%, the IDF told ynet.
How have the leaders reacted?
Both main leaders claimed momentum. Speaking in Jerusalem early Wednesday, Netanyahu said, “We must form a right-wing, national, strong government,” NBC News reported. Eisenkot told his supporters, “We have made history,” ynet reported, and he called on Netanyahu to step aside.
Smaller parties staked out positions as well. Joint List chairman Yousef Jabareen said his alliance was ready to use its seats to help replace the current government, according to ynet. Democrats leader Yair Golan called for a coalition of change that relies on backing from Arab parties. Eisenkot, however, has all but ruled out governing with them, NBC News reported.
In Washington, Trump told Axios that Netanyahu was now in “pretty good shape.” Separately, unnamed sources told ynet that the White House does not want Itamar Ben-Gvir in the next cabinet. That claim has not been confirmed on the record.
What happens next?
The next step is the president’s consultations. After the official results, Herzog meets each party and then gives one lawmaker the first chance to build a coalition. Custom favors the leader of the largest party, but that is not a legal rule, NBC News explained.
Herzog said on Wednesday that everyone should work to avoid another election, Axios reported. If no one can assemble 61 seats, a new vote could come as early as April, according to Axios. Meanwhile, the opposition may try to take key Knesset posts, such as the speaker’s chair, once the new parliament is sworn in.
How to watch the Israel election results coverage live
The big live moments are the final special-ballot count on Thursday, the swearing-in of the new Knesset and Herzog’s meetings with party leaders. Several international channels are covering them, and some are free.
- Al Jazeera English streams free, 24/7, on its website and official YouTube channel. Our Al Jazeera English live stream guide lists every official option.
- Sky News streams free on its website and YouTube in many countries. See the Sky News live guide.
- DW News and France 24 both run free English streams on their own sites and YouTube. Our DW News guide and France 24 English guide explain how.
- CNN and BBC News are paid or licence-based in most places. Start with our CNN live stream guide.
For Arabic-language coverage, our guide to Arabic news channels covers the main official streams. More world stories are in our Hot Topics section.
Coming soon: the NewsLive streaming app. We’re building one subscription for live international news on Android, Roku, Fire TV and desktop. The service is under development — follow NewsLive for launch updates.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Israel election results final?
No. As of October 28, 2026, regular polling stations were almost fully counted, but more than 500,000 special ballots remained. Official results are due by November 4.
Who won the most seats?
Likud, led by Netanyahu, was the largest single party with about 26 seats, according to ynet. Still, neither his bloc nor Eisenkot’s bloc was close to the 61 seats needed to govern.
Could Israel hold another election?
Yes. If no candidate can form a coalition, the Knesset can be dissolved again. Axios reported that a new vote could then be held as early as April.
