Netanyahu’s bloc leads after half of votes counted but lacks a majority

With 51.8 percent of ballots counted in Israel’s general election, Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc had 55 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, compared with 49 for Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc and 16 for Arab parties. The partial results could change, and neither camp appeared able to secure a majority on its own. Eisenkot ruled out governing with Arab lawmakers, though they could support a minority government in parliamentary votes. Coalition talks could take weeks and may lead to another election; Netanyahu would remain caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.