Final count confirms Israel deadlock: Netanyahu bloc 53 seats, Eisenkot bloc 48, Arab-led parties 19

Israel's Central Elections Committee published final results of Tuesday's election early Friday, The Times of Israel and AP reported. Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats, the opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot won 48, and the Arab-led Joint List and Ra'am won 19 together, a record for Arab-led parties. Likud is the largest party with 27 seats, followed by Eisenkot's Yashar with 21, according to The Times of Israel and Ynet.

Most parties in the opposition bloc have ruled out relying on the Arab-led parties, The Times of Israel and Al Jazeera reported. The official results are due to be presented to President Isaac Herzog next week, after which he will consult party leaders on who should try to form a government, according to The Times of Israel and Anadolu Agency.

Why it matters: With no bloc at 61 seats, AP reported that weeks of difficult coalition talks lie ahead among parties ranging from ultra-Orthodox to secular to Arab-led.