Jerusalem:Following the completion of the vote count in the Israeli Knesset elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc has secured 53 seats, while the opposition bloc, led by Gadi Eisenkot, has won 48 seats. Arab parties have garnered 19 seats.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the Central Elections Committee has concluded counting all votes, including those cast via “double envelopes,” and confirmed no changes to the distribution of seats among the political blocs. The results indicate a persistent state of political division, as neither side has attained the 61-seat majority required to control the 120-member Knesset.

The current distribution of seats leads to a political impasse, paving the way for intricate negotiations regarding the formation of the next government. With neither bloc holding a parliamentary majority, the Arab parties could play a crucial role in shaping the future governing coalition.