But the numbers leave neither major bloc with the 61 seats required for a majority, opening a complex political struggle involving potential partnerships with Arab parties, ultra-Orthodox lawmakers or a unity government bringing together longtime rivals.
A source familiar with opposition discussions, who spoke to Fox News Digital on condition of anonymity, described the outcome as a "bitter stalemate," but not an impossible political situation.
The source said opposition leaders are approaching coalition negotiations with patience and experience rather than treating the inconclusive results as a defeat, arguing that the next government could depend on their ability to forge partnerships that previously seemed unlikely.
In a potentially significant development Friday, Israeli journalist Yishai Cohen of national unity government involving Likud and Yashar would offer a more straightforward mathematical route to a majority, but would require Eisenkot to reconsider his campaign pledge not to join a Netanyahu-led government.
For Netanyahu, the lengthy coalition formation process could provide additional opportunities. If Eisenkot receives the mandate to form a government but fails, President Isaac Herzog could assign the task to another candidate, potentially giving Netanyahu another chance to assemble a coalition. If successive efforts fail, Israel could face another election.
Despite the obstacles, the source familiar with opposition discussions pointed to Bennett and Lapid's experience navigating complex coalition negotiations as an important asset.
"They've both played this game many times. They know it, and they're not rattled," the source said, according to a translation of the Hebrew-language conversation.
The source suggested that Bennett's experience working with Netanyahu gives him a particular understanding of the prime minister's negotiating tactics, while Lapid brings additional experience in coalition-building.
Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, one of the opposition's senior figures, acknowledged Friday that forming a government would be considerably more difficult than campaigning against Netanyahu.
"Now comes the truly hard part: trying to form a government," Lapid wrote on X, urging supporters to remain patient.
"It takes place in small rooms, slowly, away from the cameras," he wrote, according to a translation of his Hebrew-language statement, emphasizing the importance of negotiations conducted out of public view.
The negotiations will also unfold against the backdrop of the Trump administration's Middle East agenda.
The source familiar with opposition discussions said understanding Washington's regional priorities could become an important consideration in shaping a future government, although no specific American role in coalition negotiations has been confirmed.
The election results are scheduled to be formally submitted to President Herzog on November 4, following remaining verification procedures. The new Knesset is expected to be sworn in November 10.
For now, the election has settled the question of how Israelis voted, but not who will govern them. A source familiar with the negotiations concluded: "Whoever manages to forge new partnerships will move forward. Whoever doesn't will remain stuck."