Netanyahu wins Israel elections, but his coalition falls short of a majority

Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party won the Israeli elections but lacks a majority to govern, securing only 28 of 120 seats. His coalition, including ultra-nationalist and religious allies, is projected to hold 56 seats, while the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot has 48. The Arab parties, with a combined 16 seats, will be crucial in government negotiations. Voter turnout was notably high at 77%. Despite winning, Netanyahu faces challenges due to dissatisfaction with his coalition partners and ongoing domestic issues. Eisenkot aims to form a stable government, emphasizing the need for unity and rejecting any political exploitation of security matters. The Arab parties, representing a significant portion of the population, are positioned as key players in the upcoming negotiations.