Israel election: Israelis vote for 1st time since October 7 terror attack

Follow below for all the latest on the Israeli election on October 27, 2026, and its aftermath:

Voting began in Israel at 7 a.m. local time (6 a.m. CET) on Tuesday in the first general election since the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and the devastating war in Gaza unleashed by Israel in response.

Some 7.3 million Israeli citizens are eligible to vote, with polls showing right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving premier, neck and neck with his main centrist rival Gadi Eisenkot.

Most polling stations will close at 10 p.m. (9 p.m. CET).

There's a lot at stake in this election: The fallout and questions of political accountability for the attacks of October 7, 2023; mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox men and sharing the burden of national defense; along with Israel's standing in the international community.

Nowhere can the division within Israeli society be more felt than in debate over Benjamin Netanyahu.

For the past four years, Israel's long-standing prime minister has led what has been described as the most right-wing government in the country's history. He broke with political convention by forming an alliance with ultranationalist politician Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Many Israelis want to see an end to this government. They blame it for the failures surrounding Hamas' terror attack and for the country's growing isolation internationally. Many are placing their hopes in Gadi Eisenkot, who has emerged as a leading opposition figure to challenge Netanyahu.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his top challenger Gadi Eisenkot are both against the creation of an independent Palestinian state, meaning the election is not expected to lead to major policy changes that could revive the long-stalled peace process.

Here are some of the other major campaign issues:

Israelis head to the polls today to elect a new Knesset in what is expected to be a tightly contested race.

Incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving prime minister, is fighting to stay in power, with several court cases awaiting him if he loses office.

Polls suggest his opponent, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, is in the lead.

Stay tuned as we closely follow the election, its results and the wider implications for the region.