Netanyahu's Bloc Leads Israel Election But Falls Short of Majority

With 85% of ballots counted in Israel's general election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and allies won 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, falling short of a majority.

Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar opposition bloc secured 48 seats, while Arab-led parties are projected to win an unprecedented 19 seats and could emerge as kingmakers.

President Isaac Herzog will consult political factions once final results are confirmed to invite a leader to form a governing coalition, avoiding another round of elections.