Without a clear majority, both camps must now court smaller parties whose demands on security, the economy and religious affairs could shape the next government. Coalition talks in Israel are often lengthy, and a deadlock raises the prospect of weeks of bargaining before a government can be formed or, in the worst case, another trip to the polls.
The result reflects a deeply divided electorate. Voters were asked to weigh security concerns, the cost of living and the direction of the country's institutions, and the outcome gave no single bloc the mandate to govern alone.
For Israel's partners abroad, the deadlock adds uncertainty at a sensitive moment in the region, with the Hormuz talks and other diplomatic efforts under way. A caretaker-style period, in which major decisions are deferred, could slow responses to fast-moving developments.
What happens next is now in the hands of party leaders and the president's consultations. The first test will be whether either Netanyahu or Eisenkot can assemble 61 seats in the Knesset. If neither can, the deadlock could deepen, and the country may face a prolonged period of political negotiation.