JERUSALEM, Israel: Israelis surged to the polls at the fastest rate in nearly half a century on October 27 to pass wartime judgment on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in what voters described as the most consequential election in the nation's history.

Long lines formed outside polling stations for the first ‌election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, with voters passionately engaged over the trauma of the country's deadliest day and the ensuing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

Nearly 67 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots by 6 p.m., nine percentage points higher than at the same time in the last election in 2022, according to the Central Elections Committee.

Policies of Netanyahu's right-wing coalition have been divisive at home and have deepened Israel's international isolation, while he has defended his record, calling himself the only leader with the mettle to face down Israel's foes.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader with 19 years in office, is an unmatched political survivor, and his nationalist politics are increasingly entrenched. Israel's fragmented system makes it difficult for an array of opponents to force out his coalition of right-wing, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties.

His main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff and security hawk, aims to unseat him with support from right- and center parties, as well as the rump of an increasingly marginalized left. Opinion polls show a close race, with neither leader facing an easy path to power.

In a message to supporters more than five ⁠hours after polls opened, Netanyahu urged them to vote, saying turnout was high among his opponents on the left and among Israelis of Arab heritage, around a fifth of the country.

"We need it to be high too. You all need to stream to the polls," he said. "This is a fateful moment."

Voters began casting ballots after polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT). The polls close at 10 p.m. (2000 GMT).

The Central Elections Committee reported that 31.5 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots in the first five hours. It was the fastest turnout since a legendary 1977 election that came to be known as "the upheaval", which brought the right to power for the first time in Israeli history.

"I think these elections are the most important of all the ones I've known," said Ruth Epstein, an 81-year-old longtime left-wing voter in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, who voted for the opposition Democrats.

"I'm really scared about what will be here."

Netanyahu has campaigned on an endorsement from US President Donald Trump, ​his ally in the war against Iran, who has said they should "finish the job".

If neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot can form a governing coalition in the 120-seat parliament, Netanyahu could remain caretaker until another election.

His opponents have wrested him from the premiership only once since 2009, and that took four inconclusive elections over two years. He was back 18 months later.

For many of Netanyahu's opponents, the election turns on accountability for the security failures of October 7, ‌Israel's deadliest day. ⁠Opposition groups have promised to hold a national inquiry, which Netanyahu's government has resisted.

"I am convinced that by the end of today, we will see a change — a new spirit for the State of Israel — that will serve as a rectification for the past three years and for that terrible day," Eisenkot said during a visit to kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel, targeted in the October 7 attacks.

He walked to the polls with Gadi Mozes, one of 251 people kidnapped by Hamas and taken to Gaza during the attack that killed 1,200 people.

Eisenkot says Israel's response — a war which health authorities say killed more than 74,000 Palestinians — was a failure because Hamas remains in charge. He repeated his commitment to dismantle or destroy Hamas' military and governing power in Gaza within 18 months of forming a government.

Itamar ⁠Ben-Gvir, leader of a far-right party in Netanyahu's coalition, cast his vote in the Kiryat Arba settlement in the occupied West Bank early on October 27. He predicted Netanyahu would return as prime minister and that his party would serve as the government's right-wing anchor.

Arab Turnout Could Be Key

Voters from Israel's Arab minority, Israeli by citizenship but Palestinian by heritage, were voting in "unprecedented" numbers, Palestinian candidate Ahmed Tibi said.

Netanyahu had repeatedly warned supporters of the prospect of high turnout among Arab Israelis ahead of the vote, seeking to mobilize his base under ⁠the slogan "Right or Palestine".

Eisenkot has ruled out partnering with Arab parties, citing a lack of shared values, although some scenarios envision them propping up a minority government to remove Netanyahu from office.