Netanyahu Claims Victory as Likud Leads Israeli Election Count
· World · Al Jazeera, BBC News
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a right-wing government essential for Israel's long-term security while speaking to Likud supporters in West Jerusalem on Tuesday, hours after polls closed in the legislative election. With over half the ballots counted, Israeli Channels 12 and 13 projected Likud winning an estimated 27 seats against 21 for Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party, making it the largest single party. The Times of Israel projected Netanyahu's bloc at 56 seats and Eisenkot's alliance at 49, leaving neither with a clear path to a 61-seat majority. Netanyahu cited military achievements including the elimination of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iranian leaders and the establishment of security zones in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. He said Israel had a "historical opportunity" with U.S. President Donald Trump to remove Iran's existential threat permanently. Former ambassador Alon Pinkas warned that the leading bloc may need an uncomfortable coalition deal to govern, while Al Jazeera analyst
Why it matters
The election outcome will determine whether Netanyahu returns as prime minister or faces a fragmented parliament, directly shaping Israel's policy on Gaza, Iran and regional security — all of which affect Middle East stability and global oil markets that impact India.
Read the original report — Al Jazeera
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