Partial results from Israel's parliamentary election left both main blocs short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's alliance ahead of former military chief Gadi Eisenkot's, news organizations reported Thursday^1,2.

Al Jazeera, citing the Central Elections Committee, said more than 5 million votes had been counted by 9 p.m. Wednesday local time, with Netanyahu's bloc on course for 53 seats and Eisenkot's for 48¹. The BBC, citing 85 percent counted, reported the same 53-48 split². Sixty-one seats are required to form a government¹.

Arab-led parties were projected to win about 19 seats, a record, after high turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel^1,2. More than 500,000 special double-envelope ballots from soldiers, diplomats and others remained, which could still shift seats^1,2. Turnout was 77.7 percent, the highest in more than two decades, President Isaac Herzog said².

Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed^1,3. Herzog said he expected official results next week and would then consult factions, urging them to avoid another election². Netanyahu told supporters a strong right-wing national government should be formed and warned against relying on Arab parties^2,3. Eisenkot said the public had spoken for change and, in comments reported by SCMP, told security officials that Netanyahu lacked a mandate^2,3.

Likud said Arab parties had stolen the election through crimes including bribery and fraud, without providing evidence in the BBC account; the Central Elections Committee said it would examine the claims². Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen said the alliance could back an anti-Netanyahu government from outside but would not join it, Al Jazeera reported¹. Most Jewish parties have pledged not to sit with Arab-led lists^2,3. Final seat totals and who Herzog taps to try to form a coalition were still unknown^1,2.