Netanyahu bloc ahead, but no majority - NHKニュース

Multiple media outlets had predicted Israel's opposition camp would come out on top Tuesday's election. But the latest results tell a different story. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling bloc is projected to win more seats in parliament.

Over 85 percent of ballots have been counted. Votes cast by soldiers, hospital patients, and some others still need to be processed.

Israel's parliament, known as the Knesset, holds 120 seats. Local broadcaster Channel 12 said that Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party is projected to win 26 seats.

The opposition's centrist Yashar party is projected to secure 21. It is led by his rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.

Some media reports said Netanyahu may have gained momentum with a last-minute push on election day. He urged supporters to vote over social media, warning of higher turnouts in Arab communities.

His ruling bloc is projected to win 53 seats. It is short of a majority but ahead of the opposition's 48 seats. The Arab parties are projected to win a record 19 seats, nearly double the number they before the election. People in Gaza said they are hoping for change, but some doubt it will come.

A man in his 50s said, "I hope Netanyahu doesn't win, and that someone comes to power who cares about the interests of both peoples, the Israelis and the Palestinians."

A man in his 40s said, "Whoever comes to power, whether right-wing or left-wing, whoever it may be, the important thing is that they improve our situation in the Gaza Strip and respond to international pressure."

And another man in his 50s said: "As for the Israeli elections, our enemy remains the same. If one person leaves, another takes his place, and it's the same thing. The same policies, and the same approach they have always followed."

If both the ruling and opposition camps fail to prevail, parties are expected to start negotiating about forming a winning coalition.