Demonstrators gathered outside Eisenkot's home in Herzliya on Thursday, chanting slogans and displaying banners demanding a Jewish-Arab political partnership following Israel's inconclusive parliamentary election .

"The people have decided: Jewish-Arab partnership," protesters chanted.

Their demand followed the October 27 election, which left Netanyahu's political bloc with 53 seats and the four main opposition parties with 48.

Neither side secured the 61 seats required for a majority in Israel's 120-member Knesset.

However, the Arab-led Joint List won 11 seats, while Ra'am secured eight, giving the two parties a combined 19 seats.

Their support would raise the opposition's parliamentary numbers to 67, enough for a majority if the parties agreed to cooperate.

Despite the potential majority, several opposition leaders have rejected the possibility of forming a government with Arab parties.

Eisenkot, whose Yashar party emerged as the largest opposition party with 21 seats, had also ruled out including Ra'am in a government led by him during the election campaign.

The position has become a focus of the demonstrations, with protesters urging opposition leaders to reconsider their differences.

Similar gatherings were reported in Jerusalem and Haifa, where demonstrators called for cooperation between Jewish and Arab political parties to replace Netanyahu.

Such an arrangement would not be without precedent.

In 2021, Ra'am joined the governing coalition formed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, marking an example of Jewish-Arab cooperation in Israel's national government.

The latest demonstrations have placed renewed attention on Eisenkot and other opposition leaders as they consider their options following the election.

Although the combined opposition and Arab parties hold enough seats for a parliamentary majority, disagreements over political cooperation remain an obstacle to forming a government.

Official results announced on Friday showed Likud securing 27 seats in the 120-member Knesset. However, Netanyahu's political bloc won only 53 seats, eight short of the 61 required for a parliamentary majority.

The results have left Israel facing difficult coalition negotiations, with neither Netanyahu nor his main political opponents securing enough seats to govern independently.

Central Elections Committee Acting Director-General Din Livne announced the distribution of seats for the 26th Knesset, confirming that 11 parties had crossed the electoral threshold.

"The Likud list received 27 seats, and the Yashar list received 21 seats. The Beyachad list received 12 seats. The Joint List won 11 seats," Livne announced.

The Democrats and Ra'am each secured eight seats, while Yisrael Beytenu, United Torah Judaism and Otzma Yehudit won seven seats each.

Shas and Religious Zionism received six seats apiece.

The main opposition bloc secured 48 seats, while the two Arab-led parties won a combined 19 seats, potentially giving them an important role in determining the next government .

Voter turnout reached 77.9 per cent, with more than 5.7 million ballots counted, including special double-envelope votes. Nearly 5.69 million votes were declared valid.

Livne said the results could undergo minor adjustments as election officials continued reviewing ballot boxes, checking errors and examining complaints.

The figures are scheduled to be presented to President Isaac Herzog on November 4, ahead of the new Knesset's inauguration on November 10.

Meanwhile, a classified investigation into suspected foreign interference has added another dimension to the political uncertainty.

Livne confirmed that the head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency had presented classified intelligence to Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg, prompting an investigation.

Senior political figures had also received briefings on the matter.

However, Livne rejected reports circulating about the intelligence, stressing that the information remained highly classified.

"I would like to emphasise that the circle of secrecy regarding this intelligence is extremely tight. Not only can further details not be disclosed due to high security classification, but reports published throughout the day are entirely unfounded," he said.

He also maintained that the investigation was separate from the vote-counting process and would not change the election results.

"The investigation is taking place in parallel with the processes conducted by the Central Elections Committee, and it will not affect the final results of the actions. Nor does it pertain to any particular sector," he asserted.

The investigation follows allegations of attempted foreign influence through political funding.

Netanyahu and his allies have separately raised concerns about electoral interference, although officials say no evidence of systematic voting irregularities has been established.

Israeli media have reported claims from sources within Netanyahu's party linking Qatar to the alleged interference. Qatar has strongly denied the accusations.

The investigation's findings will be submitted to Sohlberg, who also serves as Deputy President of Israel's Supreme Court, once the inquiry is completed.

The Central Elections Committee has said further updates will be provided where security restrictions permit.

Speaking in a televised address on Thursday, Bennett questioned Netanyahu's handling of Qatar, accusing him of previously refusing to take action against the Gulf state despite repeated demands.

"Everyone knows that for a very long time, I repeatedly demanded that Netanyahu declare Qatar an enemy state. And repeatedly, Netanyahu refused, choosing instead to whitewash it. To this very moment, he continues to keep advisers in his office who have already been proven to have received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Qatar during the massacre, during the war, and who worked from within his office to advance Qatar's interests," Bennett claimed during a TV address.

His remarks followed renewed concerns about possible foreign interference in Israel's October 27 parliamentary election.

Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, who chairs Israel's Central Elections Committee, has asked the Shin Bet security agency to investigate suspected foreign funding and possible election bribery.

Israeli media have linked the suspicions to Qatar, although Sohlberg did not identify any country. The allegations remain unproven.

Bennett argued that Netanyahu's renewed attention to Qatar was politically motivated, accusing him of exploiting the controversy following the inconclusive election.

"This morning, suddenly, when it serves his interests, Netanyahu remembered Qatar and is using it to sow chaos and undermine public trust in the democratic process,” Bennett added, calling on the Israel Security Agency and the Elections Committee “to act swiftly,” and on Netanyahu to “declare Qatar an enemy today.”

The dispute has also revived scrutiny of the so-called Qatargate affair, which involves allegations that individuals connected to Netanyahu's office received payments to promote Qatari interests.

Qatar has previously rejected Bennett's accusations.

Sohlberg has instructed Shin Bet chief David Zini to submit his findings within a week.

According to Israeli media reports, the investigation concerns suspected foreign funding of efforts to increase voter turnout among Arab communities.

However, no evidence establishing Qatari involvement in electoral wrongdoing has been made public.

Netanyahu's Likud party has separately accused Arab-led political parties of widespread electoral fraud .

Police said they found no evidence supporting those allegations. No connection has been established between the alleged voting irregularities and the foreign-interference investigation.

The political dispute comes as Israel faces uncertainty over the formation of its next government.

Preliminary results from the October 27 election indicate that Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats, while the Jewish-led opposition won 48 and Arab-led parties obtained 19.

Neither main political camp reached the 61 seats required to form a majority in the 120-member Knesset.

For some residents of the war-battered enclave, the answer is no, regardless of whether Benjamin Netanyahu or his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, forms the next government .

As Israel's parliamentary election results continued to emerge on Wednesday, Palestinians expressed doubts that either political camp would bring meaningful improvements to their lives.

"The bad one leaves and someone even worse comes along. Gaza will remain as it is, and their elections will change nothing for us. These elections concern them, not us Arabs."

These were the words of Gaza resident Umm Awad Shabat, who dismissed expectations that a change in Israel's government would improve conditions in the enclave.

Another resident, Saeed Naim, argued that Israeli political priorities would continue to come at the expense of Palestinians.

"Israeli interests will not benefit us. On the contrary, their interests will always come at our expense," he said.

Naim, however, suggested that Arab political parties could gain some influence over government decisions if they united in Israel's parliament, the Knesset.

While several residents expressed little confidence in either political bloc, others acknowledged that a change in leadership could bring limited improvements.

Iyad Jouda argued that Netanyahu and Eisenkot shared similar political positions but believed an Eisenkot-led government might allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza and reduce fighting.

He did not expect such a government to introduce major policy changes.

Maryam Al-Daabla expressed concern about the possibility of Netanyahu returning to power.

She feared another government led by the incumbent prime minister could worsen conditions for Palestinians and lead to further displacement from Gaza and the West Bank.

The reactions came as Israel's election results indicated that neither major political bloc had secured enough seats to govern independently.

With 84.5 per cent of ballot boxes counted on Wednesday afternoon, Netanyahu's bloc was projected to win 54 seats in the 120-member Knesset.

Eisenkot's alliance was projected to secure 49 seats, while Arab parties were expected to win 17.

Both main blocs remained short of the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority.

Speaking in Nazareth, the Ta'al party leader said removing the current government remained his main objective, even if the next administration did not fully reflect his political preferences.

"We want to oust this government, to bring it down! To depose Netanyahu, then to depose Amir Ohana, and pave the way for an alternative government. It won't be my cup of tea," he said.

"It will be a different government. Reality must be changed, and this possibility must be given a chance based on voter turnout rates. We are heading in that direction. There are no deals ."

Tibi's remarks came as reports indicated increased participation among Arab voters, a development he welcomed as an encouraging sign for democracy.

He pointed to long queues outside polling stations in Arab communities, particularly in Tayibe, where he claimed voter participation had reached levels comparable to local elections .

"The racists retreat into their dens, and that is what will happen," he declared.

The lawmaker also accused unnamed parties of attempting to delay the voting process but maintained that the growing turnout could help bring about a change in government.

"At the end of the day, we will take on the racists, send them home, and pave the way for a new reality and perhaps a new hope. It will not be easy, but victory is within reach," he said.

The Joint Arab List, comprising Hadash, Ta'al and Balad, is seeking to win nine or ten seats in Israel's 120-member parliament.

Its campaign has focused on increasing Arab political representation and opposing Netanyahu's government.

Tuesday's election is Israel's first parliamentary vote since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent wars.

The election has brought questions about national security , political accountability and Israel's future into focus.

With neither of the major political blocs guaranteed the 61 seats required to form a parliamentary majority, the outcome could lead to difficult coalition negotiations.

Tibi's calls for change come as the Joint Arab List seeks to increase its representation in a closely contested election.

These were the words of Eyal Eshel, whose 19-year-old daughter Roni was killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack while serving as an Israeli military observer at Nahal Oz.

Eshel joined other families of victims and former hostages at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, demanding answers from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government as Israelis voted in a national election.

The gathering began at 06:29 local time (04:29 GMT), marking the moment Hamas launched its attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel's subsequent military offensive killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza .

Among those demanding accountability was Einav Tzangauker, whose son Matan spent 738 days in Hamas captivity before being released.

She criticised the government's handling of the hostage crisis and questioned why the captives had not been brought home earlier.

"Go out and vote so this failure never happens again, so we know what happened and who is responsible, and so we can finally begin to repair and rebuild," she said.

Michel Michael Ilouz, whose son Guy was murdered while held hostage, also addressed the gathering, urging Israelis to remember the victims when casting their ballots.

"From here, I call on the people of Israel: remember him, and remember everyone, when you vote. Vote for change, vote for hope, vote to make things a little different here."

The families have repeatedly demanded an independent state commission of inquiry into the security and intelligence failures surrounding October 7.

Netanyahu's government has instead supported an investigative panel appointed through a different process.

Israel's High Court postponed its ruling on the proposed inquiry until after the election, giving the government until January 15, 2027, to explain how it intends to investigate the failures.

Questions over the government's handling of the attack have also intensified following reports that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel warned Israel three times before October 7, including an alleged warning delivered directly to Netanyahu.

The prime minister denied receiving those warnings.

Earlier in October, former Israeli hostage negotiator Major General Nitzan Alon suggested that the captives could have been released 'maybe a year earlier' without seriously compromising Israel's military objectives.

Tuesday's election saw Netanyahu's Likud party and its allies face a divided opposition, including former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.

The unresolved questions surrounding October 7 remained a major issue as Israelis went to the polls .

Speaking during a television interview on Monday, Netanyahu described Iran as a major threat to Israel's security and claimed that Tehran had resumed nuclear activities despite previous military strikes.

"There is one fundamental question here: our survival today. This morning, Iran's news agency published a video showing the leadership's guidance to drop atomic bombs on Israel . They have renewed the nuclear program. We have battered this regime; it is faltering, it is bruised and battered, and like a wounded scorpion, it could make its desperate sting and destroy us," he said.

The Israeli leader insisted that the country's military was prepared to respond to any renewed threat, promising to 'strike them again.'

Netanyahu also highlighted his close relationship with US President Donald Trump , presenting their cooperation as an opportunity to address Iran's nuclear ambitions.

He argued that Trump's remaining time in office offered Israel a chance to take further action against Tehran.

"It is doubtful we will ever have such a friendly president again. This will not repeat itself. He has two more years, and he says he calls on you to vote for me and he says, 'only with him.' Only with your humble servant will he be ready to launch an operation that will once and for all remove the Iranian threat," he said.

Netanyahu further claimed that he had instructed Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, and the Israel Defence Forces to pursue regime change in Iran , arguing that removing Tehran's government was necessary to eliminate the threat.

The prime minister also suggested that several Arab countries were waiting to see whether Israel would complete its military campaign before considering further diplomatic agreements under the Abraham Accords.

"We have an opportunity to secure a bright diplomatic, economic, and security future for the State of Israel, to secure our future. That is what is at stake."

His comments come as Israel prepares for an election that Netanyahu described as closely contested.

According to figures he cited during the interview, the rival political blocs were tied at 60 seats each.

Tuesday's vote follows US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, which were followed by retaliatory attacks across the region.

Netanyahu is also facing domestic criticism over the security failures surrounding the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, exemptions from military service and the rising cost of living.

Israel's election is scheduled for October 27, 2026, after the Knesset completed its full term and was dissolved in July.

Footage from Likud's Jewish New Year gathering in Tel Aviv on Thursday shows Netanyahu greeting supporters and joining party members on stage before addressing the crowd.

"I want to disappoint you: I am not the Messiah, and I am not a king either. A king does not need to be elected. I need to be elected. I need you, and that is why I am going out into the field," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu presented the election as a choice between Israel's political right and left, raising Palestinian statehood and the judiciary as key dividing issues.

"Which direction are we going? Is it left or right? Do you want the left? Do you want the right? Do you want a Palestinian state? Do you want a Jewish state? Do you want a judicial dictatorship? Do you want real democracy ?" he asked.

He later described the political centre as a 'bluff' and criticised Gadi Eisenkot, the former military chief who leads the Yashar party. Eisenkot's party is among Likud's major rivals in the election.

Netanyahu also highlighted his government 's military record since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack, praising Israeli soldiers and arguing that his government had changed the regional balance of power.

"Look at what we have achieved thanks to our heroic soldiers, our heroic soldiers. We are proud of you. We salute you," he said, persisting, "On the second day of the war, I promised: we will change the face of the Middle East . And that is exactly what my colleagues here — the ministers of the government and members of the Knesset — that is exactly what we did together. We changed the face of the Middle East."

Netanyahu cited the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas figures Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh. He also referred to the September 2024 operation in which pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon.

Turning back to the campaign, Netanyahu urged his supporters to keep up their efforts until polling day.

"Likud is awake, Likud is kicking, Likud is strong. But we need to maintain this enthusiasm until Election Day," he asserted.

The October 27 election will be Israel's first national vote since the Hamas-led October 7 attack and the wars that followed.