Netanyahu’s party leads, but ‘Israeli’ election picture remains unsettled

• Netanyahu’s Likud leads with 22.24% of valid votes counted, according to preliminary figures.
• Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party ranks second with 15.41%.
• The Palestinian-’Israeli’ Joint List places third with 8.28%, narrowly ahead of Naftali Bennett’s party at 8.22%.

‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is maintaining its lead in the preliminary results of the Knesset election, while the Palestinian-Israeli Joint List moved into third place as vote counting progressed.

Figures published by ‘Israel’s’ Central Elections Committee at 02:47 GMT showed Likud receiving 22.24% of valid ballots counted. Its share fell from 23.36% in the previous update.

The Yashar party, headed by opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot, came second with 15.41%, down slightly from 15.74% in the earlier tally.

The Palestinian-‘Israeli’ Joint List secured 8.28%, placing it just ahead of Naftali Bennett’s party, which garnered 8.22%.

The figures reflect a partial count of more than 1.6 million votes and remain subject to change as counting continues.

Approximately 5.69 million people cast ballots in the election, from an eligible electorate of around 7.33 million. The final distribution of seats will determine which political blocs have the numbers to form the next government.