Israelis vote in national elections as Netanyahu hopes for comeback

A woman votes during the Israeli election (Oded Balilty/AP)

Israelis are voting in national elections for the fifth time since 2019, hoping to break the political deadlock that has paralysed the country for the past three-and-a-half years.

Although the cost of living is surging, Israeli-Palestinian tensions are boiling over and Iran remains a central threat, the foremost issue in the vote once again is former leader Benjamin Netanyahu and his fitness to serve amid corruption charges.