Israelis went to the polls on Wednesday in the country's first general election since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and the result remained too close to call as counting continued into Thursday.
Turnout was unusually high, with voters casting ballots in record numbers according to early reporting. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed supporters at Likud party headquarters in Jerusalem after the first exit polls were released, though the overall outcome was not yet clear given how tightly the vote was split between the major parties and coalitions.
The election carries particular weight because it is the first chance Israeli voters have had to weigh in nationally since the events of October 7, 2023, which set off more than two years of war and reshaped the country's politics and its relationships across the region. Coalition-building in Israel's parliamentary system often takes weeks, since no single party typically wins a majority on its own, and smaller parties can end up holding significant leverage in forming a governing coalition.
With the vote split so narrowly, attention now turns to how long it will take for a clear picture to emerge and which combination of parties might be able to form a government. In Israel's system, final official results typically take days to certify after an election, and coalition talks can stretch on for weeks beyond that.
Watch for official vote certification over the coming days and for early signals about which parties might be willing to join a coalition, which will determine how quickly, and in what shape, a new government can be formed.
Why is this election considered especially significant?
It is the first national election in Israel since the October 7, 2023 attacks, which were followed by more than two years of war and significant shifts in regional relationships.
When will we know who won?
Official results typically take several days to certify, and because no single party is likely to win a majority outright, coalition negotiations could take additional weeks.