Key facts
- Netanyahu's Likud party had 20.7% of votes counted, while Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party had 16.2%.
- Arab-led parties had 15% of votes counted.
- Local media projected 53 seats for Likud and allied parties, 48 for Yashar and allied parties, and 19 for Arab-led parties.
- Nearly 78% of eligible voters turned out, the highest since 1999.
Israelis are facing political uncertainty after an election that has challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. Final results are expected soon, but no clear winner has emerged. Arab-led parties achieved a historic electoral performance, raising questions about potential coalitions with other opposition parties to form a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu has voiced concerns about a government involving Arab parties, whose constituents represent 20% of Israel's population. His main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, has indicated a willingness to partner with Arab parties if they recognize Israel as a Jewish state and Hamas as extremist.