Netanyahu's party requested an extension of the voting hours

The Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has requested an extension of voting hours in the ongoing parliamentary elections to mobilize its electorate. The main opposition party, Yashar, opposes this request, arguing it could undermine the election's legitimacy. Voter turnout has reached record levels, with 55.7% reported by 4 PM local time, the highest since records began in 1973. Both Netanyahu and his rival Gadi Eisenkot have cast their votes as over 7.3 million Israelis participate in these highly contested elections, which could determine Netanyahu's political future after recent events involving Hamas. The elections are crucial for securing a majority in the Knesset, with 120 seats at stake.