Overnight double-envelope counting kept the deadlock from the previous day at 53 seats for Netanyahu's bloc to 48 for Eisenkot's, Likud rising to 27 at Shas's expense down to six.

Focus shifted when Elections Committee chair Sohlberg unusually instructed Shin Bet chief Zini to urgently examine suspected foreign-funded election bribery to boost Arab turnout, reported as tens of millions from Qatar. The Shin Bet opened an inquiry after holding intelligence from before election day without briefing Sohlberg. Police and election officials countered there was no evidence of systematic fraud and ballot purity was preserved, the Shin Bet calling the probe limited and apolitical in origin. Qatar and Ra'am leader Abbas denied involvement, while Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of an influence operation to delegitimize the results and delay the Knesset swearing-in.

Evening certified final results confirmed the stalemate with Arab parties at a record 19, turning coverage to coalition scenarios.