Israelis vote in pivotal test for Netanyahu
Turnout is running at its highest in decades as Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud faces a bloc led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot. Exit polls are due when voting ends.
Developing story. Details may change as more information is confirmed.
Israelis are voting in a general election widely seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's first national vote since the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, 2023, and the wars that followed in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
More than 7.3 million people are eligible to choose the 120 members of the Knesset. By midday, about 31.5% had voted, according to the Central Elections Committee, the highest turnout at that point in the day since 1977.
Netanyahu's right-wing Likud is up against a group of centrist, left and right-wing parties led by former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar party, alongside former prime minister Naftali Bennett's Together alliance and others. Final pre-election polls suggested a close race, with neither camp projected to reach the 61 seats needed for a majority.
Polls close at 10 p.m. Israel time, which is 1 p.m. Pacific, when broadcasters will publish exit polls. Those can differ from the final count, and many soldiers' ballots will not be counted until Wednesday. Official results are due by Nov. 4.
If no bloc wins a clear majority, weeks of coalition talks could follow. This story is developing.
This summary is original reporting by tehworldnews, written after checking the facts against several major international news outlets and official statements.