Revised Israeli Exit Polls Now Tie Both Blocs at 51 Seats, Likud Largest Single Party

Israel's parliamentary election exit polls took a dramatic turn late at night. Although the opposition bloc appeared to be ahead immediately after voting ended, the latest revised polls now put Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc and the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot level, on 51 seats each.

As a result, in the 120-seat parliament (the Knesset), neither side can secure the outright majority of 61 seats needed to form a government.

According to the latest updates from Israel's main public broadcaster Kan 11 and television Channel 13, both blocs are on 51 seats. However, another major outlet, Channel 12, still puts Eisenkot's bloc slightly ahead by 52 seats to 50.

The biggest surprise in the updated polls came from Netanyahu's Likud party. The party increased its tally beyond earlier projections and is set to win the highest single-party total of 27 seats. Eisenkot's Yashar party, by contrast, is on 21 seats. Likud's position as by far the largest single party in parliament is therefore confirmed.

Under Kan 11's new calculation, Likud rose by two seats to 27, while its far-right ally Otzma Yehudit lost one seat to fall to six. On the opposition side, the left-wing Democrats lost one seat to fall to nine. However, the Palestinian-Israeli, that is Arab-led, parties are still firmly holding their 18 seats.

After the new poll results, there was great excitement among leaders, workers and supporters at Likud's headquarters in Jerusalem. As senior government ministers began arriving one by one, workers celebrated by dancing, singing and throwing ballot papers into the air. Energy minister Eli Cohen and diaspora affairs minister Amichai Chikli entered the headquarters and exchanged greetings and handshakes with the workers.

Organisers said Prime Minister Netanyahu would arrive at the party headquarters shortly and address the nation. Netanyahu had already insisted that his party had not lost this election.

Meanwhile, after the results were announced, opposition bloc leader and Yashar party chief Gadi Eisenkot addressed supporters at his party headquarters. Urging people to wait for the final results, he said: 'It is clear that the people of the country have voted for change and against Netanyahu's failed rule.'

Eisenkot called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to accept the people's lack of confidence and leave politics. He said that after such a large voter turnout in the election, holding a fresh election would be a grave mistake.

Eisenkot announced he would do his utmost to form a responsible Zionist government with everyone. His government would make military service mandatory for all and work to eliminate Hamas completely. At the same time, he called on the country's security and intelligence chiefs to carry out their duties protecting only the interests of the state and its citizens, not those of any individual. He said: 'The era of lies and failure is now over.'

The 51-51 tie between the two blocs has deepened Israel's political crisis. Because the Arab parties are completely opposed to Netanyahu, even with Likud's increased seats he still cannot reach the majority mark of 61. In the same way, without the direct participation of the Arab parties, forming a coalition will not be easy for Eisenkot either.

The report suggested both leading figures would now claim victory and seek a mandate from President Isaac Herzog to form a government. But if no agreement is ultimately reached, the country may have to head towards yet another election.