Now turning to international news...

Israelis are heading to the polls in the first vote since Hamas attacks on
October 7th 2023 and Israel's ensuing barrage on the Gaza Strip as well as
attacks on neighboring Syria and Lebanon.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a strong challenge from former
military chief Gadi Eisenkot.

Polls show neither candidate's party likely to garner enough support for a
parliamentary majority...

leading to possible weeks of negotiations over forming a winning coalition.

The election will serve as a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership.

There is a chance that neither Netanyahu's coalition nor the group of parties
looking to remove him will have enough support to win a parliamentary
majority...

potentially setting off weeks of negotiations before a leader is declared.

Israel's Arab-led parties could then emerge as kingmakers if they agree to
support one candidate over another.