Israelis voted at the fastest pace in 45 years on Tuesday in an election that could end Benjamin Netanyahu's premiership, although a divided parliament could leave him leading a caretaker government for months.
The turnout pace, reported by Reuters, comes as Netanyahu's Likud faces a challenge from Yashar, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Pre-election polls suggest neither leader's prospective coalition is assured of the 61 seats needed for a majority in the Knesset.
The outcome could influence Israel's approach to conflicts across the Middle East. Voting follows disputed reports that Netanyahu sought military action against Iran before the election, drawing opposition warnings against moves that could disrupt the ballot.
Even after votes are counted, Israelis may face weeks of negotiations before knowing who will lead the next government. They elect parties rather than a prime minister directly, and no individual party is expected to approach a parliamentary majority.
According to The Associated Press, Israel's three main television broadcasters will publish exit polls shortly after voting ends at 10 p.m. Those estimates could offer an early indication of the balance of power, but official results will follow in the coming days.
President Isaac Herzog will then consult party leaders and ask the candidate he considers most likely to assemble a coalition to attempt it. That candidate can have up to six weeks; others could receive an opportunity if the first attempt fails.
Smaller parties could become decisive, negotiating Cabinet posts, spending commitments or policy concessions in exchange for support. Arab-led parties could also affect the outcome, despite both Netanyahu and Eisenkot ruling out coalition partnerships with them.
The AP reported that those parties could potentially enable an Eisenkot minority government by supporting it from outside the coalition or abstaining during the parliamentary vote to install it.
The campaign's final days were overshadowed by Channel 12 reporting an "unprecedented confrontation" between Netanyahu and military chief Eyal Zamir over an order that could escalate tensions with Iran.
Citing anonymous military sources, the broadcaster said Zamir sought signed documents establishing legal authorization for the proposed action. One source described concerns about a possible miscalculation at a sensitive moment, while another suggested the Iranian issue was being used for political benefit.
Netanyahu denied the account in an interview with Channel 14, calling it "nonsense" and saying there was "no fight" with Zamir. Opposition leaders nevertheless warned against military decisions that could destabilize the election.
CNN separately reported that Netanyahu had pressed President Donald Trump for a joint attack on Iran before the vote, but had not received approval.
An Israeli source told CNN that Zamir's warning that an attack could force an election postponement was among the reasons. Netanyahu's office also rejected that report.
If coalition negotiations fail, another election would follow in the coming months, with Netanyahu's government remaining in a caretaker capacity. Public services would continue, but its ability to enact major policy changes would be limited.
