Israelis vote in first election since 2023 Hamas attack as Netanyahu faces tight race

Polling stations in Israel opened Tuesday morning for a general election that marks the first national vote since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the subsequent war in Gaza. The race is expected to be close between incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the opposition effort.

Voting concluded at 10 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Exit polls are anticipated to provide an immediate indication of the leading candidate, though final results are not expected until Wednesday afternoon. Once results are in, the two main contenders will likely begin negotiations with smaller parties to secure a parliamentary majority. Israeli President Isaac Herzog will consult with party leaders and invite the candidate most likely to form a government to begin those negotiations. Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister during this process, which can last several weeks.

The campaign focused heavily on foreign policy and security, with Israeli forces engaged in conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and the West Bank. Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, framed the election as a choice between security stability and political risk. He has served as prime minister since 1996, holding the office for 12 consecutive years between 2009 and 2021 before returning in 2022. He currently faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

Eisenkot, who heads the centrist Yashar party, argued that Netanyahu failed to prevent the October 7 attack and has not achieved key war goals, such as dismantling Hamas or defeating Iran. Domestic issues also featured in the debate, including military exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community and controversial judicial reforms that sparked nationwide protests in 2023. The opposition criticized the government for its handling of the West Bank, where settlement expansion and displacement have increased since 2023.

Arab-Israeli leaders urged high voter turnout, with Ta'al party leader Ahmad Tibi stating on social media that his community would vote to remove the current government. Eisenkot told supporters at a Monday rally that Netanyahu would use extreme measures to stay in power. Despite their differing approaches, both candidates support continued military pressure on Iran and its regional allies, and Eisenkot stated he has no plans to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza.

Tensions reportedly emerged between Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir in the days before the vote, with media reports suggesting disagreements over resuming strikes on Iran. Netanyahu denied the reports on Monday, calling them fake news and stating he had no intention of removing Zamir from his post. U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu this week, praising their partnership in joint operations against Iran in 2025 and 2026. Trump urged Israeli voters to support Netanyahu, citing their shared goal of completing the work against Iranian threats.