Israel held elections for the 26th Knesset on Tuesday amid heavy turnout. Participation reached 31.5% by noon, the highest at that hour since 1977, and 55.7% by 16:00, while turnout within the Israeli military reached 68% by 5 p.m. compared with 65% at the same time in the previous election. There are 7,331,981 eligible voters across 12,018 polling stations, with 38 lists competing for 120 seats. Deputy Director-General of the Central Elections Committee Din Livni said that if the pace continues, the record of 80% could be broken by the end of the day, while LBCI described turnout as the highest since 1973. Benjamin Netanyahu requested extending voting beyond 10 p.m., but the central committee decided not to extend hours at this stage and said it would reassess later, with polling stations continuing to operate for those who arrived before 10 p.m.
Despite the turnout, election day was tense. Reports cited attacks and threats at polling stations, disappearing ballot papers, seized money and three detainees, while Netanyahu spoke of 'election theft.' In Tel Aviv, police investigated a suspected stabbing attempt against Democrats party leader Yair Golan in HaSela Garden after a knife-wielding man approached him and his guards subdued him. Reports also said an Egyptian young man crossed the border into Israel and tried to seize a soldier's weapon.
In the background, reciprocal leaks between the Israeli military and Netanyahu's office said the government had requested public military preparations as part of alertness for a third war with Iran, but Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir 'aborted the idea,' warning that preparing to resume war could be misread by Iranian leadership and ignite a confrontation before the election that might lead to its postponement. Reports said Netanyahu wants to dismiss Zamir if he wins, while his office and Security Minister Israel Katz denied this, saying military considerations were professional and institutional only. China is following the election closely after relations deteriorated from a promising technology partnership to rising dispute over the Gaza war and military operations against Iran. Data showed voters in Druze villages in the Golan Heights nearly tripled since the fall of the Assad regime, alongside unprecedented turnout among Arabs and left-wing areas—described as the highest of its kind since 1969—and notable participation by Negev Bedouin.
In the political contest, Gadi Eisenkot called on Israelis to topple Netanyahu's government, describing it as the worst in Israel's history, and said Israel would make decisive decisions in all fields tomorrow morning, would eliminate Hamas, ensure Iran does not possess nuclear weapons and unite its ranks internally. He accused Netanyahu of returning to 'tricks, lies and intimidation,' while Netanyahu said 'four hours remain to save Israel,' called for voting only for Likud or Bezalel Smotrich, and told the Haredi public: 'Vote for me to save the world of Torah.'