Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc led the general election count on Wednesday but remained short of a parliamentary majority, with 66 per cent of ballots counted. His camp secured 54 of the 120 seats, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc won 48. Arab parties accounted for the remaining 18 seats. The figures may change as counting continues.

The election saw nearly 78 per cent voter turnout, the highest since 1999. Voters delivered their verdict on Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, who has shifted the country to the right and launched wars following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot vowed to form a government despite neither bloc securing a clear majority. Exit polls had placed the two camps almost at the same level, with around 51 seats each.

Arab Israeli parties recorded significant gains, with their supporters turning out in large numbers against Netanyahu. The partial results suggest Eisenkot could reach a majority by joining forces with Arab parties, although several members of his bloc had opposed such an arrangement during the campaign.

Yair Golan, head of Israel’s main left-wing party within Eisenkot’s bloc, urged cooperation with Arab lawmakers. "We must no longer accept Netanyahu's racist division between Jewish votes and Arab votes," he said on X. "We have a responsibility. And we have an opportunity to form a government of change in partnership with Israel's Arab citizens."

Eisenkot had previously ruled out governing with Arab lawmakers, sharing a position held by Netanyahu, who has questioned the legitimacy of a government dependent on Arab support. The opposition could instead rely on Arab parties for support in individual parliamentary votes.

The absence of a clear majority could lead to weeks of coalition negotiations and potentially another election. Netanyahu would remain caretaker prime minister until a new government takes office. Full results are expected by Thursday evening or Friday morning.

Addressing supporters in Jerusalem after 3 am, Netanyahu called for a "strong government of the right" and said the "Jewish and Zionist majority must unite". He did not directly claim victory. US President Donald Trump said his endorsement had helped Netanyahu "a lot".

Speaking in Tel Aviv, Eisenkot warned Netanyahu against using security concerns for political gain. "Netanyahu, don't you dare use Israel's security for your political needs," he said, describing him as "a caretaker prime minister, without a mandate or the people's trust".

Eisenkot has backed Israel’s military offensive in Gaza but has promised a more inclusive domestic climate, efforts to restore Israel’s international standing and action against violent settlers in the occupied West Bank.

After the high turnout, Eisenkot rejected the prospect of another election and pledged to work "swiftly" to form a government.

"The public has voted for change," he said. "A worthy leader would accept the people's vote of no confidence and announce his retirement from political life today."

Arab Israelis, also known as Palestinian citizens of Israel, make up around 21 per cent of the country's population.