Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc secured the highest number of seats in Israel's Knesset, according to the official tally on Thursday, but it failed to get a majority, thereby making it difficult to form a government. 

Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats in Tuesday's election, with his largest rival only winning 48 seats. Neither leader has enough to form a government, coming short of the 61 seats needed for the majority in the 120-seat parliament. 

A third bloc, made up of Arab-led parties, won an historic 19 seats in the latest election, according to NBC News. The count is complete, but the results still need to be certified and submitted to President Isaac Herzog next week. He will then choose a candidate he believes has the best chance to form a government and become the next prime minister. 

The close race means that it will be difficult for either leader to form a government and the coalition building to get enough support could take weeks.

The election results are largely seen as a rebuke to Netanyahu and his handling of the conflicts in the Middle East. Voter turnout was reportedly at its highest level in 45 years. 

The event marked the first national election since Hamas's terror attack in October 2023. 

Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot is Netanyahu's biggest challenger. Eisenkot, who served in Netanyahu’s war cabinet before resigning, has argued that the country needs a change in leadership.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.