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

Israel's longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, faces a battle to stay in power amid fierce competition from a bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Arab parties are projected to play kingmakers.

What you need to know

Israelis voting to elect Knesset

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, faces a staunch challenge to his grip on power

His chief rival is former military chief Gadi Eisenkot

Eisenkot's Yashar party has polled higher than Netanyahu's Likud party

Arab parties are projected to play kingmaker in post-election coalition talks

This is the first election since the 2023 October 7 Hamas-led terror attack and the subsequent two-year Gaza war

Polls open in Israel election

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 a bloc led by right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving premier, neck and neck with Gadi Eisenkot's centrist opposition alliance.

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

WATCH: Netanyahu's final campaign? — Israel heads to the polls

Emily Gordine

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.

Security fears and domestic divides define Israel's election battle

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:

Security and the War: Voters are focused on the management of the Israel-Hamas war, the future of Gaza, and handling threats from Iran and Hezbollah.

Military Service: There is an intense debate over whether the exemption for ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men should be extended or whether they should be required to serve in the military like other Jewish citizens.

The Justice System: There are deep disagreements over proposed judicial reforms that would change the balance of power between elected politicians and the Supreme Court.

The Economy: Voters are highly concerned about the cost of living, housing prices, inflation, and war-related spending, although these are not the primary campaign issues.

Welcome to our coverage

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.