Israel heads to polls for pivotal election defined by security and democracy
Israelis are voting in one of the most pivotal elections in the country's history, with neither leading bloc expected to win the sixty one seats needed to govern alone.
Millions of Israelis are casting their ballots in an election many describe as one of the most pivotal in the country's history, with tens of thousands reported to have flown home from abroad to vote and half a million voting for the first time.
Incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu faces former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who leads the newly formed Yashar Party, in a race polling suggests is neck and neck. Neither of their blocs is projected to win the sixty one seats needed for a majority, raising the prospect of weeks or months of coalition talks.
Security, democracy and military service have shaped the campaign, with the opposition pressing Netanyahu over the security failure behind the October seventh attacks and over his judicial reform plans, while Netanyahu has presented himself as the leader best placed on security.
Exit polls are due on Tuesday night, but with many soldiers' and reservists' ballots counted later, the final result may take far longer to settle — and political deadlock remains a real possibility.
Reporting based on coverage from BBC News.