Israel election results: Netanyahu falls short of ...

Summary

• With approximately 90% of the votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc is projected to win 53 seats, while opposition parties could secure 48, according to figures reported on Thursday.
• Arab political groups are expected to hold a combined 19 seats, potentially making them influential in negotiations over the next government.
• Parties associated with opposition leader Yair Lapid and former prime minister Naftali Bennett are collectively expected to secure another 12 seats, according to the reported figures.

AI Generated Summary

TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a major political challenge after preliminary election results showed his alliance struggling to secure a majority in the 120-member Knesset, raising uncertainty over who will form the country’s next government.

With approximately 90% of the votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc is projected to win 53 seats, while opposition parties could secure 48, according to figures reported on Thursday. Arab political groups are expected to hold a combined 19 seats, potentially making them influential in negotiations over the next government.

The reported projections suggest that Netanyahu’s Likud party remains the largest individual party, with 26 seats. However, its position may not be enough to guarantee another term in power, as the formation of a government depends on the ability to secure support from other parliamentary groups.