Why it could take time for a new Israeli government to form

Daily Mirror, Lankadeepa, Newsfirst (සිංහල), Ada Derana and Newswire report that partial or unofficial results from Israel’s parliamentary election place Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc ahead, while falling short of a majority. Newsfirst (සිංහල) and Daily Mirror identify former military chief Gadi Eisenkot as a rival; Daily Mirror says Netanyahu’s Likud party appeared to be the largest single party.

Lankadeepa says vote counting was nearing its final stage, while Hiru News (සිංහල) reports that about 90% of votes had been counted and that control remained uncertain. Daily Mirror says results were still coming in and neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot had a clear route to a majority.

Ada Derana reports that Netanyahu’s rivals were considering whether to join forces with Arab parties, and Daily Mirror reports that Arab parties could be pivotal to the outcome. The reports offer no confirmed account of a completed alliance or a final governing arrangement.

Hiru News reports that Netanyahu is expected to remain caretaker prime minister after the inconclusive result. The reports do not provide a final result or specify when a new government will be formed.