Netanyahu bloc maintains lead in final election results but falls short of majority
Outgoing opposition leader Yair Lapid says talks are taking place behind the scenes to form a new government
Assessment
Final results put Netanyahu's bloc ahead but short of a majority, so forming a government now depends on negotiation, not the vote count alone. Lapid, the outgoing opposition leader, says talks are underway behind the scenes, indicating the opposition is still maneuvering. Watch for which parties can be pulled from one side to the other, since no bloc has a clear path on its own.