Jerusalem:Israeli opposition figure Yair Lapid stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "no way" to form a government following the recent parliamentary election. The election results have intensified efforts among rival political groups to establish a governing coalition.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Israel's public broadcaster KAN reported that the vote counting was completed, with Netanyahu's bloc obtaining 53 seats, the opposition Change bloc 48 seats, and Arab parties 19 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Neither of the major political blocs achieved the 61 seats necessary for a parliamentary majority. The final results are anticipated on November 4, after verification procedures.

Lapid, referencing Netanyahu's 53 seats, remarked on a US social media platform that the Prime Minister's bloc previously held 68 seats in the outgoing Knesset, labeling the outcome as a significant setback. He emphasized the high voter turnout of 77.7%, the highest since 1999, and described the opposition's performance as a "win on points." Lapid acknowledged the challenges ahead in forming a government, noting the complexity of coalition negotiations compared to election campaigning and urged patience among supporters.

In a separate development, Jewish Power party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir met with Netanyahu to discuss maintaining a right-wing government. Discussions focused on preventing a government supported by Arab parties, as reported by Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth. Concurrently, Democrats party leader Yair Golan urged Change bloc leaders to reconsider cooperating with Arab parties, having met with United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas to expedite an alternative government formation. Despite holding a combined 67 seats with Arab parties, disagreements persist within the opposition regarding cooperation with them, posing a challenge to forming a government without Netanyahu.