Netanyahu and Eisenkot Fall Short as Israel Election Heads for Deadlock

Israel – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading toward a political deadlock after Israel’s election on Tuesday. Exit polls show he does not have a clear path to power.

His main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, is also short of a clear win. Neither man looks able to form a government on his own right now.

This could lead to long talks between parties. Netanyahu may stay on as caretaker prime minister while they try to build a majority.

Final results may take several days. Israel has a split political system, so small parties could decide who rules. No party has ever won 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, which is why coalitions are normal.

Turnout was a record high. Many people stood in long lines outside polling stations. This was the first vote since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran that followed.

Netanyahu, 77, has led Israel for nearly 19 of the past 30 years. He has survived many political crises. His rivals removed him only once since 2009, after four unclear elections in two years. He was back in power 18 months later.

He now faces corruption charges, which he denies. He is also criticized over the intelligence failures that let militants kill 1,200 people and take 251 hostages.

Eisenkot, 66, is a former army chief and a strong challenger. He lost a son and two nephews in the Gaza war. He stresses his security record and presents himself as a centrist at home.

He joined politics four years ago. He joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet after the attack, but quit eight months later and criticized the prime minister’s leadership.

For many voters, the vote was about accountability. Opposition groups have promised a national inquiry, which Netanyahu has resisted.

Netanyahu urged his supporters to vote and called the moment “fateful.” He also campaigned with support from US President Donald Trump, who has said they should “finish the job” against Iran.

Ruth Epstein, an 81-year-old voter near Tel Aviv, said this was the most important election she has known.