Updated

Israel's final pre-election polls show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gantz-successor Eisenkot in a statistical dead heat five days before voters go to the polls. The campaign has been marked by sharp divisions, with Netanyahu pledging five more terms and to "finish the job" against Iran, Defense Minister Katz warning any future attack would be blamed on the opposition, and former ally Ron Lauder publicly denouncing the premier. Controversies have multiplied around the vote: Israel's High Court barred parties from tracking turnout data, authorities pledged to keep National Security Minister Ben Gvir away from demolition operations during the campaign, far-right rival Ben Gvir pushed provocative policies including deporting Palestinians, and the father of a hostage killed in captivity said he was assaulted by Netanyahu supporters at a campaign stop. Analysts and commentators, including Haaretz writers and Rahm Emanuel, debate what the outcome could mean for ties with Washington, Iran policy, and the stalled Palestinian question, which has been largely absent from the campaign.