Israelis are voting in a general election for the first time since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023, in a contest that could determine the political future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Around 7.3 million Israeli citizens are eligible to vote in the election, which will decide the composition of the 120-seat Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Polling stations opened at 07:00 local time and are scheduled to close at 22:00.
According to Reuters, turnout reached 16.7% in the first three hours of voting, the fastest early turnout recorded since 1981.
Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for much of the past two decades, is facing a challenge from Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israeli military and leader of the centrist Yashar party.
The election is taking place against the backdrop of the 7 October attacks, when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 others hostage, according to Israeli figures. The attacks triggered the war in Gaza and a wider regional crisis.
Opposition figures have criticised Netanyahu over the security failures that preceded the attacks and called for an independent inquiry. Netanyahu has defended his government’s record and rejected personal responsibility for the failures.
The war in Gaza, the fate of the hostages, Israel’s military operations in Lebanon and tensions with Iran have also featured prominently in the election campaign. Netanyahu has emphasised security and confronting regional threats, while opposition leaders have called for greater accountability and changes in government policy.
