Political earthquake in Israel: Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot claim victory; Here are the latest results PHOTO

According to figures released after 65 percent of the votes had been counted, projections indicate that, based on the current vote share, Netanyahu’s bloc could win 56 seats. Meanwhile, the opposition’s “Victory” bloc, led by Gadi Eisenkot, is projected to secure 49 seats, while Palestinian parties are expected to win 16 seats, The Guardian reported.

A majority in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, requires 61 of the 120 seats to form a government. Projections of the final distribution of seats are likely to be updated as more votes are counted.

The Guardian reports that a clearer picture of the election results is expected shortly after 10 a.m. local time, when most of the votes will have been counted. Results from areas where Palestinian parties enjoy strong support will also be crucial.

Eisenkot was the first to declare victory

Gadi Eisenkot, former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and leader of the Yashar party, declared victory last night, claiming that the preliminary results gave him the right to be the first to attempt to form a government to replace Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration.

EPA/ATEF SAFADI

With less than half of the votes counted, Eisenkot’s opposition bloc was leading the bloc of parties headed by Netanyahu by 53 to 50 or 52 to 50 seats.

Netanyahu addresses supporters at Likud Party Headquarters

Incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed supporters at his Likud (Consolidation) party’s election headquarters in Jerusalem at 3 a.m. local time.

Like opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, who had made his declaration a few hours earlier, Netanyahu also declared victory, insisting that his party was “the largest” in Israel.

He criticized media outlets that had predicted a poor election performance for Likud, accusing them of “constantly manipulating public opinion, knowing full well that it is a lie.”

EPA/ABIR SULTAN

Netanyahu then told his supporters that “the right-wing bloc has a decisive majority.”

“We must form a strong, national, right-wing government,” the Israeli prime minister said.

Democrats leader calls on Eisenkot to join forces with Arab parties

Democrats leader Yair Golan called on the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar (Straight) party to join forces with Arab parties and form a government, noting that such an alliance would command a majority of seats in the Knesset.

“Netanyahu has lost. I know how to count to 120. Sixty-five is more than 55. That is how Israeli democracy works. Period. Reality must teach us one clear lesson: We have no future here unless we stop being afraid and stop being racist. We must no longer accept Netanyahu’s racist division between Jewish votes and Arab votes,” Golan wrote on X.

Trump reacts: “Even a tie is a victory”

U.S. President Donald Trump commented overnight on Israel’s close election results, telling reporters that his support for Netanyahu had “helped a lot” in boosting the Israeli prime minister.

“You know, it’s pretty close, which was very good... because I think my support helped him a lot when it was announced,” Trump said.

He added that he had heard Netanyahu had done “pretty well” and that he “could win or it could be a tie.”

“A tie in that case is considered a victory because it’s a big chess game,” Trump said.