Israel heads to pivotal election shaped by Oct. 7 aftermath

Israelis are preparing to vote in a general election widely seen as one of the most consequential in the country's history, the first since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. The campaign has centered on security, leadership and the country's political direction after nearly two decades of right-wing rule under Benjamin Netanyahu. His main challenger is former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who has cast the contest as a fight over Israel's identity as a liberal and tolerant democracy. Netanyahu has argued that replacing him would make Israel less safe. The result could reshape Israeli politics at a moment of deep national strain.