Jerusalem:As Israel approaches its parliamentary elections, final opinion polls have forecast a tight race between incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc and the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot. The polls predict Netanyahu's coalition securing 50 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while Eisenkot's opposition is projected to gain 52 seats.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the polls conducted by public broadcaster KAN and private Channel 12, released four days before the vote, reveal similar outcomes for the two major camps but differ in seat distribution among smaller parties. Channel 12's survey indicates Eisenkot's Yashar party would secure 22 seats, Netanyahu's Likud 20, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's Together party 14 seats. Other parties like Jewish Power, Yisrael Beiteinu, and the Democrats are each projected to win eight seats in Channel 12's poll.

KAN's poll aligns with Channel 12 in projecting 22 seats for Eisenkot's party, 20 for Likud, and 14 for Bennett's party. However, notable differences arise in the predictions for the Religious Zionism-Zehut alliance and the joint Arab slate, with KAN projecting different seat counts compared to Channel 12.

Both polls highlight Netanyahu and Bennett as equally suitable for the prime minister role at 38%, a change from previous surveys where Netanyahu led. Additionally, 71% of respondents indicated certainty in voting, yet 36% remain undecided on party support.

The surveys suggest neither bloc will achieve the 61-seat majority needed to form a government independently, leading to discussions about potential unity or minority governments. Current Israeli law prohibits publishing new polls from the Friday before the election until polls close, aiming to prevent public opinion manipulation.