What to know as Netanyahu faces battle for survival after Oct. 7 attacks

Key Points:

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a critical election challenge amid ongoing security crises following the deadly Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant loss of life and hostages.
• Netanyahu's main rival is former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who campaigns on accountability for the attacks and calls for an independent inquiry, while Netanyahu defends his wartime leadership and rejects responsibility for intelligence failures.
• The election is also influenced by domestic issues such as compulsory military conscription for Haredi Jews, rising organized crime, and economic concerns including inflation and social inequality.
• Polls show a tight race with no party expected to win a majority, making coalition negotiations crucial; Eisenkot’s party currently leads slightly over Netanyahu’s Likud, with smaller parties holding significant kingmaker roles.
• After the vote, coalition-building could take weeks, with President Isaac Herzog appointing a candidate to form a government; failure to form a coalition could lead to new elections, as seen in recent years of Israeli political deadlock.