Jerusalem, Oct. 28 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc remained short of a parliamentary majority as the latest partial election count gave it 53 seats, against

48 for the opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, while Arab-led parties were projected to win 19 seats, leaving the formation of the next government uncertain.

According to local media reports citing the Central Elections Committee (CEC), 93 per cent of ordinary ballots had been counted, accounting for 85.6 per cent of the total votes.

At least 61 seats are required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset, Israel's parliament.

Eisenkot's bloc and the Arab-led parties together have 67 seats in the current

count, potentially giving them enough parliamentary support to form a government if they can overcome their political differences.

However, the prospect of such a government remains uncertain. Netanyahu has opposed relying on Arab-led parties, while opposition figures have

differed over whether to include them in a coalition or depend on their support from outside.

The CEC said the remaining seven per cent of ordinary ballots required additional oversight.

Local media, citing the CEC, reported that about 600,000 double-envelope ballots also remained to be counted.

These include votes cast by soldiers and other eligible voters

away from their registered polling stations, and were expected to be

added to the tally over the next few days after checks to prevent duplicate voting.

Three parties remained below the electoral threshold of 3.25 per cent of valid votes - Reservists, at 2.6 per cent; People of Israel, at 1.6 per cent; and Charedi Public, at 0.2 per cent.

Their final vote shares could change as counting continues.

Exit poll projections by mainstream broadcasters had put Netanyahu's bloc at 50-52

seats and the opposition bloc at 51-53,

with Arab-led parties projected to win around 17-18 seats. An i24NEWS exit poll gave Netanyahu's bloc 55 seats against 49 for Eisenkot's bloc.

Netanyahu's Likud party appeared on course to emerge as the largest individual party, although the wider bloc supporting him remained short of a majority.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.