Israel Votes Tuesday: Netanyahu Faces Eisenkot Challenge

Israel holds a pivotal general election on Tuesday, the first since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the subsequent Gaza war. The vote will determine the political future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the country's longest-serving leader. Netanyahu's Likud party and its far-right allies face a strong challenge from the opposition alliance led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot's 'Yashar' party. Eisenkot has gained significant public support among Israelis weary of the three-year war, with recent polls giving him a slight edge. Even after voting, forming a new government could take weeks or months due to Israel's complex parliamentary system. Official results are expected by November 4, with coalition negotiations potentially extending up to 100 days, as no party has ever won a majority alone.