Israel heads to the polls for crucial elections, a showdown between Netanyahu and the center-left.

Polling stations have opened in Israel for the 7.3 million voters called to renew Parliament. The challenge for what are being called the most important elections for the country's future lies between nearly forty parties, organized into three main blocs.

On one side is the right wing led by outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the longest-serving politician in Israeli history. On the other, an alliance of center and left-wing parties led by former Armed Forces Chief Gadi Eisenkot. Completing the picture is the galaxy of independent candidates. Voting will continue until 10 PM (9 PM in Italy), after which the counting will begin.

The Israeli elections are taking place at a crucial moment for the country's future, with a competition featuring three major political blocs facing off. The Israeli electoral system is purely proportional, with an electoral threshold that encourages party fragmentation, which explains why there are nearly forty parties in the race.

The main protagonist is Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the right-wing and outgoing prime minister, a dominant figure in Israeli politics for decades. Challenging him is an unprecedented alliance between center and left-wing parties, led not by a career politician but by Gadi Eisenkot, former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. This choice marks an attempt to unite the opposition around a figure perceived as technical and impartial.

These elections arise from the need to renew the Parliament (Knesset) at the end of its term or following a government crisis. The electoral campaign unfolded against the backdrop of regional security issues, international relations, and socio-economic themes, with voters called upon to choose the direction for the coming years.