The Netanyahu bloc won 53 out of 120 seats in the Knesset, eight short of a majority, and the Likud says the Arab parties stole the election, as the head of the opposition bloc Gadi Eisenkot prepares to take over Knesset committees and key positions before the coalition talks begin. Eisenkot has about 60 recommendations for Prime Minister against 46 for Netanyahu. Israeli security officials told the Financial Times that Netanyahu could order a major operation as interim prime minister if he loses.

The Netanyahu bloc won 53 out of 120 seats in the Knesset, eight short of a majority, and the Likud says the Arab parties stole the election, as the head of the opposition bloc Gadi Eisenkot prepares to take over Knesset committees and key positions before the coalition talks begin. Eisenkot has about 60 recommendations for Prime Minister against 46 for Netanyahu. Israeli security officials told the Financial Times that Netanyahu could order a major operation as interim prime minister if he loses.