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Latest exit polls as of 02:38 Israel time

Latest exit poll results

_BNN Election Night Coverage | Powered by The Petek_ Voter turnout reached 77.7% by 10 PM Israel time, the highest in a Knesset election since 1999, according to the Central Elections Committee. Its updated figures show 5,695,682 people voted out of 7,331,981 eligible voters. The committee's figures put turnout 3.4 percentage points above the 74.3% recorded at 8 PM, and 7.1 percentage points above the 70.6% recorded in the 2022 election. The committee says the turnout total includes voters who used double envelopes. Turnout measures how many people voted; the results for each party will be determined by the ballot count. Bernard Moerdler | Bernie News Network bernie.news

_BNN Election Night Coverage | Powered by The Petek_ Kan 11, Channel 12 and Channel 13 each project 50 seats for Netanyahu's bloc in their initial exit polls, 11 short of the 61 needed for a Knesset majority. Those three channels give the Change bloc 52 to 53 seats, with the Joint List and Ra'am receiving a combined 17 to 18. The Change bloc comprises Yashar, B'Yachad, The Democrats and Yisrael Beiteinu. Channel 14 projects a substantially different picture: 60 seats for Netanyahu's bloc, 43 for the Change bloc and 17 for the Arab parties. i24NEWS projects 55 seats for Netanyahu's bloc, 49 for the Change bloc and 16 for the Arab parties. Neither bloc reaches 61 in any of the five projections. Across all five exit polls, Likud is projected to remain the largest party with 24 to 30 seats, followed by Yashar with 19 to 23 and B'Yachad with 11 to 15. These are initial exit-poll projections. The official result will be determined by the ballot count, and seat allocations can change as counting progresses. Follow the exit polls and the official count as it is published on The Petek: thepetek.com/results Bernard Moerdler | Bernie News Network bernie.news

*BNN Election Day Coverage | Powered by The Petek* Voter turnout stood at 74.3% as of 20:00. Sammy Tisser | Bernie News Network bernie.news

*BNN Election Day Coverage | Powered by The Petek* Voter turnout reached 66.7% by 6 p.m., nine percentage points higher than at the same hour in the previous election. Sammy Tisser | Bernie News Network bernie.news

*BNN Election Day Coverage | Powered by The Petek* Turnout reached a record high for 4 p.m., with 55.7% of eligible voters having cast their ballots, according to the Central Elections Committee. That is 8.2 percentage points above the 47.5% recorded at the same hour in the 2022 election. Sammy Tisser | Bernie News Network bernie.news

The Central Elections Committee reported that 44.9% of eligible voters had cast their ballots by 2 p.m. Its acting director general said: "We have broken all records." Sammy Tisser | Bernie News Network bernie.news

\*BNN Election Day Coverage | Powered by The Petek\* The Central Elections Committee has reminded polling staff that voters can use an expired Israeli ID card, or teudat zehut, provided the photograph still allows them to be identified. In a directive issued today, the committee said high turnout was creating queues at some polling locations and instructed staff to speed up the process while maintaining the required identity checks. Staff should begin checking the next voter's identity while the previous voter is behind the voting screen. Any individual issue requiring further checks should be handled separately so the rest of the queue can continue moving. The committee also said additional questioning is unnecessary when a voter's identity is clear. For polling stations scheduled to close at 10 PM, the committee reiterated that anyone who arrives by that time must still be allowed to vote, even if the queue means they cast their ballot after 10 PM. Bernard Moerdler | Bernie News Network bernie.news

_BNN Election Day Coverage | Powered by The Petek_ Police arrested a man carrying a knife near Democrats leader Yair Golan in Tel Aviv today, according to a police statement cited by Ynet. The Democrats said Golan's security team restrained the man after he approached him during an election-day campaign visit. Police said the suspect did not threaten Golan and that no attempted stabbing took place. The man was taken for questioning. Bernard Moerdler | Bernie News Network bernie.news

_BNN Election Day Coverage | Powered by The Petek_ Turnout in Israel's election reached 31.5% by noon, approximately 2.3 million voters, according to Central Elections Committee figures. That is the highest noon turnout since 1973, compared with 28.4% at the same hour in 2022, an increase of 3.1 percentage points. Shin Bet chief David Zini told the Central Elections Committee that election day was proceeding well and that voting was secure and properly supervised. Separately, the committee said there were no signs of widespread defacing of party ballot slips, according to Ynet. The committee also clarified that polling stations scheduled to close at 10 PM will continue operating if necessary so everyone who arrived by closing time can vote. Some small and special polling stations close earlier, so check your station's hours. Follow BNN's election-day coverage through The Petek, our independent, nonpartisan election guide. Our results page will carry tonight's exit polls from 10 PM, followed by official vote counts as they are published. Exit polls are projections; the actual result depends on the ballot count. thepetek.com/results Our voting guide explains where to vote, which ID to bring and how to cast a valid ballot: thepetek.com/voting Bernard Moerdler | Bernie News Network bernie.news

36 lists. 120 seats. One slip of paper. Israel votes today for the 26th Knesset. More than 7.3 million Israelis are eligible to vote at over 12,000 polling stations, and every vote comes down to one printed slip in a blue envelope. A list needs 3.25 percent of the vote to enter the Knesset. A governing majority takes 61. Most polls close at 22:00, small communities and hospitals at 20:00. Bring a Teudat Zehut or a valid driver's license, passport or military ID, and vote at your assigned station. Trains and intercity buses over 15 km run free until service ends tonight. Exit polls air at 22:00. The Central Elections Committee releases the count through the night and expects to finish by Thursday afternoon. Double-envelope ballots from soldiers, diplomats and hospital patients come in after the first results and can still move seats. We're here all day to help you vote, and all night to follow the count. How to vote: thepetek.com/voting Every slip, explained in seven languages: thepetek.com Live coverage from 21:00, results from 22:00: thepetek.com/results

Jordan said Monday its air force struck sites in southern Syria belonging to groups it linked to Friday's church attack in Karak, which killed nine people. The Jordanian military said the strikes killed and wounded members of the targeted groups and destroyed equipment. Syrian state media reported that at least five civilians, including women and children, were killed in Daraa province. Jordan said the operation was coordinated with Damascus, while Syrian authorities disputed that account and condemned the strikes, according to AP. Sammy Tisser | Bernie News Network bernie.news

U.S. Central Command has developed expanded plans for potential renewed strikes against Iran, including targets involving energy infrastructure and facilities critical to the Iranian economy, The New York Times reported Sunday, citing an official with direct knowledge of the military planning. Senior U.S. officials also told the newspaper that President Donald Trump appears increasingly inclined toward another round of major strikes against Iran in private discussions, although he has publicly indicated that he does not intend to launch another offensive before the November 3 U.S. midterm elections. The preparations come amid increasingly serious U.S. intelligence warnings that Iran is developing plans to attack American officials both in the Middle East and potentially inside the United States. According to the Times, American intelligence officials are particularly concerned about possible assassination attempts against U.S. ambassadors in the Middle East and government officials on American soil. Several Iranian plots are assessed to have advanced beyond preliminary planning, although officials acknowledge that Tehran's ability to carry out attacks abroad remains uncertain. Iranian officials, meanwhile, believe the United States and Israel are preparing another major offensive and have warned that renewed attacks could trigger retaliation against a wider range of targets throughout the region. The New York Times reported that officials and diplomats are increasingly concerned about the possibility of a miscalculation, in which an attack or perceived threat against American personnel could trigger a much larger military confrontation. Bernard Moerdler | Bernie News Network bernie.news

🗳️ ISRAEL ELECTIONS: MAKE SURE YOUR VOTE COUNTS With Election Day approaching, many voters still don't know exactly how the voting process works, including common mistakes that can invalidate a ballot. We've put together a free, interactive guide at The Petek explaining exactly how to vote, what to expect at the polling station, and what to avoid. The guide is available in English, Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Amharic. Regardless of who you're voting for, make sure your vote counts. 🔗 thepetek.com/voting?utm_sour… Share this with friends and family before Election Day.

The IDF launched a two-day military exercise Sunday morning involving four divisions and the Israeli Air Force, simulating surprise attacks, infiltrations by air and land, and simultaneous threats across multiple fronts, just two days before Israel's national elections. The exercise involves the 98th, 96th, 210th and Judea and Samaria divisions, operating under the Northern and Central Commands. According to the IDF, the forces are practicing responses to surprise attacks, defending Israeli communities, and preparing for possible escalation across multiple fronts. The exercise also incorporates lessons learned from the war, including improving coordination between ground forces and the Israeli Air Force. The IDF said the exercise was scheduled in advance as part of its 2026 training program and is intended to strengthen operational readiness and the military's ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats. Increased activity involving security forces, military vehicles and aircraft is expected across northern and central Israel through Monday. The military emphasized that the exercise is not a response to an unfolding security incident and that there is no indication of an immediate threat associated with the drill. Bernard Moerdler | Bernie News Network bernie.news

The IDF announced new restrictions on Palestinian workers entering Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, alongside a broader closure of land crossings on Election Day, Tuesday, October 27. According to the IDF, Palestinian workers will be prohibited from entering Israeli communities in these areas for work on Sunday and Monday, October 25 and 26, following a security assessment. Industrial zones and a limited number of other approved locations will remain exempt from the restrictions during those two days. On Election Day itself, the restrictions will be expanded. Following a recommendation from the security establishment, the political leadership approved a complete ban on Palestinian workers entering or leaving for work throughout Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, including industrial zones. All land crossings will also be closed throughout Tuesday, October 27, according to the IDF. The measures were approved as part of the security preparations for Israel's national elections. Bernard Moerdler | Bernie News Network bernie.news

*Weekend Recap* *IDF Launches Major Operation in Hebron Following Deadly Attack* Israeli security forces continued a major counterterrorism operation in Hebron following Friday's shooting attack that killed two IDF soldiers and wounded three others. The IDF said the operation was "focused and limited to the area from which the terrorists operated." Palestinian officials reported approximately 1,200 residents displaced, while Israeli forces conducted searches and detained suspects. *Netanyahu Warns Palestinian Authority of a "Big Surprise"* Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at further measures against the Palestinian Authority during a Friday interview with i24NEWS. "There is a very big surprise for the Palestinian Authority as well," Netanyahu said, declining to elaborate on what actions Israel might take. *US Warns of Increased Iranian Threats* US intelligence has reportedly warned of intensified Iranian efforts to target American officials and diplomats abroad. Washington reduced diplomatic staffing in several Middle Eastern countries. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump raised the possibility of renewed military action against Iran, saying, "We may do another little Epic Fury." *Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Missiles* Saudi Arabia reported intercepting two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen's Houthis toward Taif and Yanbu on Saturday. Emergency warnings were briefly issued in several cities before authorities declared the immediate danger over. The Houthis also claimed additional attacks against military targets in Yemen. *IDF Reports Two Militants Killed in Gaza* The IDF announced Saturday that its forces killed two Palestinians it identified as militants who crossed the Yellow Line in separate incidents in northern and southern Gaza on Friday. The military said the individuals were killed after crossing the designated boundary. *Nine Killed in Jordan Church Shooting* The death toll from Friday's shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, rose to nine, with dozens wounded. King Abdullah II condemned the attack as a "despicable terrorist act" and ordered security forces to respond with an "iron fist." Authorities continued searching for the gunmen. *Israel Prepares for Tuesday's Knesset Election* Israel is preparing for its national election on Tuesday, October 27, as political parties make their final preparations ahead of voting. The election will determine the composition of the next Knesset, with coalition negotiations expected to follow. *Israeli Gymnast Wins World Championship Bronze* Israeli Olympic champion Artem Dolgopyat secured bronze in the men's floor exercise at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam on Saturday. Dolgopyat scored 14.466 points, earning his fourth World Championship medal. Sammy Tisser | Bernie News Network bernie.news

The IDF has announced the names of two soldiers killed in this morning's terrorist shooting attack near Judea Junction, outside Hebron. Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, from Ashkelon, was a squad commander in the Home Front Command's 775th Ari Battalion. Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, from Hod Hasharon, served as a combat soldier in the same battalion. Three additional soldiers were wounded in the attack, during which two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an IDF checkpoint. Both attackers were killed by Israeli forces following a prolonged exchange of fire. May their memories be a blessing. Sammy Tisser | Bernie News Network bernie.news

Iranian officials have intensified their warnings against Israel and the United States amid growing concerns in Tehran that renewed military action could begin in the coming days, potentially before Israel's elections on Tuesday. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned American policymakers and the public that another war with Iran would carry severe military and economic consequences, including American military casualties, damage to financial markets and rising energy prices. Iranian officials have also threatened to expand their response beyond conventional military targets if fighting resumes. According to The Wall Street Journal, Tehran has warned that renewed American and Israeli attacks could trigger strikes against energy infrastructure, airports, oil facilities, data centers and undersea communications cables across the Gulf. Iranian sources told Israel's Channel 12 News on Thursday that Tehran considers another confrontation inevitable and believes Israel could launch the first attack, potentially before Tuesday's elections. However, Israeli security officials told the network that they have not identified Iranian military preparations that currently justify a preemptive strike. The Israeli security establishment has expressed particular concern that public threats and heightened military readiness on both sides could lead to a miscalculation, with either country interpreting the other's preparations as evidence of an imminent attack. The latest Iranian warnings come as the United States and Israel continue preparing military options for a possible renewed confrontation. No decision to launch a new offensive has been publicly announced. BNN will continue monitoring developments over the weekend and provide updates if there are urgent developments affecting public safety. Bernard Moerdler | Bernie News Network bernie.news