Israel elections 2026 LIVE updates: Netanyahu gains ground as exit polls swing overnight, political deadlock likely

Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu reacts while on stage after the exit polls, at his party headquarters during Israel's national election, in Jerusalem, October 28, 2026. REUTERS/Ronen ZvulunIsrael elections 2026 LIVE updates: Israel's exit polls turned into a nail-biter overnight as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gained ground on his main challenger, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. The revised exit polls reversed an earlier trend that had favoured the opposition, with Israel's Channel 12 now predicting 52 seats to the Netanyahu bloc, and 49 for Eisenkot and others.Voting ended in Israel on Tuesday in a high-stakes national election, in which a total of 7,331,981 Israelis were eligible to vote. The polls witnessed high-voter turnout, with nearly 56% of voters casting their ballots by 4 pm local time, according to the Associated Press. ...Read MoreVoting ended in Israel on Tuesday in a high-stakes national election, in which a total of 7,331,981 Israelis were eligible to vote. The polls witnessed high-voter turnout, with nearly 56% of voters casting their ballots by 4 pm local time, according to the Associated Press. Follow all the updates here:Oct 28, 2026, 07:20:44 ISTIsrael elections 2026 LIVE updates: Israel's exit polls stage overnight reversal as Netanyahu gains groundIsrael elections 2026 LIVE updates: In an overnight reversal, Israel's exit polls now show incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead. The polls had earlier favoured the opposition.Israel's Channel 12's All TV Exit Polls has now predicted 52 seats for Netanyahu and 49 to the current opposition. It has preidcted 19 seats for the Arab parties.