Israel election 2026 results live: Exit polls suggest deadlock with Eisenkot’s bloc just ahead of Netanyahu

Netanyahu claims 'they're trying to steal the election' as Israel goes to the pollsIsrael's election ended ⁠in an apparent deadlock on ⁠Tuesday, ​exit ⁠polls ⁠by major ​television networks ⁠showed, ‌with neither Prime minister ‌Benjamin Netanyahu nor ‌his main ⁠rival Gadi Eisenkot on track for a ‌majority.An inconclusive result would leave Israel in political limbo after the country’s first national election since the October attack in 2023. The vote served as a referendum on Netanyahu’s wartime leadership. Exit polls released by major Israeli TV stations suggest that neither Netanyahu’s political bloc nor that of his main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. Those polls indicated that Netanyahu's bloc won 50 seats, the opposition won 52-53 and Arab parties won 17-18. The strong showing by Arab-led parties could allow them to decide the next prime minister, but both blocs have until now refused to partner with them.Netanyahu had been tipped for a stunning defeat in today’s legislative elections despite receiving a glowing endorsement from Donald Trump.Before polls opened, the US president reiterated his “complete and total” support for Netanyahu, writing that he had been “strong, brave and brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition”.Lack of majority could work in Netanyahu's favourThe stalemate in today’s election could work in Benjamin Netanyahu's favour, allowing the prime minister to remain in power in a caretaker capacity while parties try to forge a governing coalition.Final results could take days, and Israel's fragmented political system leaves smaller parties potential kingmakers. No single party has ever won 61 seats outright in the 120-seat Knesset, making coalitions the norm. (Getty)Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 October 2026 20:30Knesset seat projections exit pollAccording to Israel’s Channel 12 exit poll, the Knesset seat projections are as follows:Likud - 24Yashar - 22B’Yaschad - 12 Joint List - 11The Democrats - 9Yisrael Beytenu - 9 Shas - 8 Ra’am - 7Otzma Yehudit - 6Religious Zionism - 6United Torah Judaism - 6Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 October 2026 20:27What have we learned from the exit polls?Exit polls indicated that Netanyahu's bloc won 50 seats, the opposition won 52-53 and Arab parties won 17-18. The strong showing by Arab-led parties could allow them to decide the next prime minister, but both blocs have until now refused to partner with them.Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 October 2026 20:17Netanyahu’s fate hangs in the balanceExit polls released by major Israeli TV stations suggest that neither Netanyahu’s political bloc nor that of his main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. Like all surveys, exit polls are subject to potential error. Preliminary results are expected in the coming hours. Final results are expected in the coming days and may vary from the exit polls.(AP)Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 October 2026 20:11Exit polls show deadlock with no party on track for majorityIsraeli election has no clear winner, exit polls indicate, likely meaning weeks of jockeying to form a government.We’ll bring you more as we have it. Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 October 2026 20:07Almost three-quarters of Israelis turned out for vote Voter turnout stood at 74.3 per cent as of 8 p.m. — or more than 5.4 million Israelis — according to the Central Elections Committee, up from 66.3 per cent at the same time in the 2022 election.Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 October 2026 19:38Israelis smash turnout records to pass wartime judgment on NetanyahuIsraelis streamed to the polls on Tuesday in record numbers to pass wartime judgment on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in what some described as the most consequential election in the nation's history. Long lines formed outside polling stations for the first election since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, as voters grappled with the trauma of Israel's deadliest day and its ensuing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and ⁠Iran.The Central Elections Committee reported the turnout at 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) at 66.7%, a record at that point of the day. With four hours left to go, more people had voted than in the entire previous election. The policies of Netanyahu's right-wing coalition have been divisive at home and have deepened Israel's international isolation. But he has portrayed himself as the only leader with the mettle to face down Israel's foesNetanyahu urged supporters to come out to vote to balance high turnout among his opponents on the left and Arab Israelis. "You all need to stream to the polls," he said. "This is a fateful moment."Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 October 2026 19:30Watch: Netanyahu claims 'they're trying to steal the election' as Israel goes to the pollsNetanyahu claims 'they're trying to steal the election' as Israel goes to the pollsJames Reynolds27 October 2026 19:00The latest: Israelis shatter turnout records to pass wartime judgment on NetanyahuIsraelis surged to the polls on Tuesday at a pace that shattered records, to pass wartime judgment on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in what voters described as the most consequential election in the nation's history.Long lines formed outside polling stations for the first election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, with voters passionately engaged over the trauma of the country's deadliest day and the ensuing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.The Central Elections Committee reported that 44.9% of eligible voters had already cast their ballots within the first seven hours of voting, with eight more hours to go. That "broke all records", it said.Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the media after voting at a polling station in Jerusalem (AFP/Getty)Policies of Netanyahu's right-wing coalition have been divisive at home and have deepened Israel's international isolation, while he has defended his record, calling himself the only leader with the mettle to face down Israel's foes.Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader with 19 years in office, is an unmatched political survivor, and his nationalist politics are increasingly entrenched. Israel's fragmented system makes it difficult for an array of opponents to force out his coalition of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties.James Reynolds27 October 2026 18:00Miliband 'deeply concerned' after MPs say they were detained on way to West BankForeign secretary Ed Miliband said he was “deeply concerned” after MPs said they were detained for eight hours by Israeli authorities and denied entry to the West Bank. Labour’s Clive Lewis and the SNP’s Lara Bird, along with MSP Kate Nevens of the Scottish Greens, said they were interrogated and denied access to the territory on Monday. Mr Miliband told the Commons on Tuesday that the government has now raised the issue with the Israeli authorities. The MPs had travelled as part of a delegation organised by political group Progressive International. According to Progressive International, the group – which also included former MP Sam Tarry and Spanish senator Josu Estarrona Elizondo – was stopped while making the crossing from Jordan and had planned to undertake “a programme of meetings with Palestinian academics, students and civil society organisations” as well as join the olive harvest following what it claims are “mounting attacks” against farmers in the territory.The Israeli embassy said the group were refused entry after “providing false information about the purpose of their visit” and failing to co-operate with officials. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said he was “deeply concerned” after MPs said they were detained for eight hours by Israeli authorities and denied entry to the West Bank (AFP/Getty)Maryam Zakir-Hussain27 October 2026 17:30