Netanyahu, chief rival fall short of parliamentary majority, leaving path to government unclear

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot, have both fallen short of securing a parliamentary majority, Israel's final election results show, leaving a path to forming a government unclear.
 Gadi Eisenkot and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Gadi Eisenkot and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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Jerusalem | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot, have both fallen short of securing a parliamentary majority, Israel's final election results show, leaving a path to forming a government unclear.

Results released early Friday showed the pro-Netanyahu bloc winning 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, and 48 seats for Eisenkot's bloc.

Two Arab-led parties won the remaining 19 seats.