Israel votes in first election since Oct 7 attacks as Netanyahu fights for survival

Israelis head to polls today in their first legislative election since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, with 7.3 million eligible voters deciding whether to extend Benjamin Netanyahu's 19-year grip on power or pivot toward former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. The vote unfolds amid three years of multi-front wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and direct clashes with Iran—conflicts that have left Israel increasingly isolated globally.

Netanyahu, 77, campaigns on security credentials and his alliance with US President Donald Trump, who called him an "outstanding warrior." His coalition includes far-right figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, voting in the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Arba. Eisenkot, 66, promises an independent inquiry into the October 7 security failures Netanyahu's government has resisted.

Arab parties representing 21% of Israel's population could become kingmakers if results are as tight as polls suggest. Neither leading candidate has committed to partnering with them. Final results may take days, and with no party likely to win the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset, coalition negotiations could stretch weeks—or trigger fresh elections.

For Nigerians watching, this election shapes Middle East stability that directly impacts global oil markets and regional security dynamics. A Netanyahu win likely means continued hardline policies; an opposition coalition could shift engagement with Iran and Palestinian issues. Either way, the outcome reverberates beyond Israel's borders.

Will the region's longest-serving leader survive his toughest test, or does Israel choose a new direction after three years of war?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/10/27/israel-to-give-verdict-on-netanyahu-as-polls-declared-open/