ISRAELI ELECTIONS 

Israel's general election has ended in a political deadlock. Preliminary results from the Central Elections Committee show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc securing 53 seats, while Gadi Eisenkot's opposition alliance captured 48. Both fell short of the 61-seat majority required to govern.

With Arab-led parties winning a historic 19 seats, they hold unprecedented kingmaker leverage. President Isaac Herzog must now choose a candidate to attempt the complex task of building a stable coalition.

Although, Netanyahu has ruled out a possibility of an alliance with the Arab parties.