Israelis vote in record numbers in first national election since the Oct 7 Hamas massacre

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israelis turned out in exceptionally high numbers Tuesday for the country’s first national election since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, with initial exit polls showing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud emerging as the largest party but his governing coalition falling short of a parliamentary majority, potentially opening the door to a change in leadership.

The projections released by Israel’s three major television networks after polls closed at 10 p.m. local...