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Israel election too close to call as exit polls give Netanyahu bloc slightly fewer seats

Israel's first election since October 7 appears deadlocked, with neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot on track for a majority.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 5 sources•1 min read•Updated October 27, 2026, 11:14 PM UTC
Key points
  • Israeli law generally requires citizens to vote in person in the country, with narrow exceptions for diplomats and certain official emissaries abroad.
  • Eisenkot still short of coalition, with Palestinian parties showing biggest gain.
  • High turnout in vote widely described as the most consequential in Israel's history.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who voted just after midday, faces an array of parties seeking to oust Israel's longest-serving premier from power.

While Netanyahu's party is projected to be the biggest in parliament, the anti-Netanyahu coalition looks set to have more seats.

How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →

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Every article behind this summary — 7 articles from 5 outlets

The Guardian WorldOctober 27, 2026, 11:14 PM UTC → The Guardian WorldOctober 27, 2026, 8:56 PM UTC → DW NewsOctober 27, 2026, 8:21 PM UTC → Al JazeeraOctober 27, 2026, 8:18 PM UTC → France 24October 27, 2026, 8:16 PM UTC → Al JazeeraOctober 27, 2026, 7:28 PM UTC → Global News WorldOctober 27, 2026, 12:25 PM UTC →

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