Live: Netanyahu's fate hangs in balance as Israelis vote in key post-war polls

Download AppNewsWorldLive: Netanyahu's fate hangs in balance as Israelis vote in key post-war pollsIsrael Election 2026Israel Election 2026 Live Updates: As voters in Israel go to the polls today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a battle to retain power in the first national election since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023 (commonly known as the October 7 attacks). The parliamentary polls are being seen as an opportunity for voters to assess his leadership in the wake of the wars in Gaza and with Iran, as well as Israel’s deepening international isolation. Yet Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving PM, with 19 years in office, has repeatedly weathered political challenges. With nationalist politics gaining ground and Israel’s fragmented political system making coalition-building complex, he remains a significant force in the race. Opinion polls indicate a tight contest between Netanyahu’s Likud party and its right-wing allies, and a rival bloc led by Yashar party's Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief known for his hawkish security stance and backed by supporters across the right and centre. Follow IndiaToday.in for live updates on the 2026 Israel election....Read MoreIsraeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tough challenge from Yashar party's Gadi Eisenkot in a key fight for his political future. (File photo: Reuters)Oct 27, 2026 12:12 ISTIsrael Election News: Billboard of Netanyahu's main rival's Yashar party set on fire outside DimonaA Yashar party billboard was set on fire overnight at the entrance to the Israeli city of Dimona, The Times of Israel reports. The incident, which took place hours before voting commenced for the ongoing parliamentary polls, has reportedly prompted a police investigation. Yashar party's Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief, is sitting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main rival in the election.Oct 27, 2026 12:01 ISTIsrael Election 2026 Live: 73 lakh Israelis eligible to vote this time; voting to close at 10 pmVoting for the elections to Israel's parliament, the Knesset, is underway across the nation. According to figures cited by The Times of Israel, around 7.3 million (73 lakh) people are eligible to vote this time. Polling stations opened at 7 am (local time). The polls close at 10 pm (local time). (With Reuters inputs)