Israel's Election Stalemate: Netanyahu Edges Past Eisenkot as Ebola Cases Top 10,000

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pulled ahead of his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, in a tight Israeli election that remains too close to call. The reversal occurred after many voters initially believed Eisenkot held the advantage. Election officials expect to complete the vote count by the afternoon of Oct. 29.

If neither candidate secures an outright majority, party leaders will have six weeks to assemble a governing coalition. Analysts expect intense competition for defectors from both camps. NPR correspondent Daniel Estrin noted that Eisenkot could gain support from Arab-led parties, which favor his candidacy. However, his team remains cautious about partnering with those parties due to lingering mistrust following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.

The election result will determine whether Netanyahu stays in office or is replaced by the former military chief of staff. Neither side currently has a clear path to a parliamentary majority. The outcome depends on how quickly coalition talks can resolve the standoff between the two camps.

While Israel counts votes, the Ebola outbreak declared in May has infected more than 10,000 people. The Democratic Republic of Congo reports the outbreak is the fastest-spreading on record. It stretches from Nigeria to Kenya and has caused nearly 5,000 deaths. About one-third of the fatalities have been children.

In the United States, the Federal Reserve meets on Oct. 28 as prices rise faster than average wages. Consumer prices increased 3.7% in September compared to the same month last year. This represents a larger annual increase than the previous month. Fed policymakers raised rates in September, but investors do not expect another increase at the current meeting.

Investors believe the central bank will keep a low profile before the U.S. midterms. They anticipate a possible rate hike in December. Midterm advertising spending has passed $11 billion, according to Ad Impact. Candidates in four major Senate races spent more than $15 million on fundraising ads during the 2025-26 cycle.

President Donald Trump is campaigning in tight races in Texas, Mississippi, and Kansas. His recent remarks have shifted focus from standard midterm pitches about tax cuts. He made jokes about the physique of Ohio Senator Jon Husted at rallies. These comments entertain crowds but draw attention away from economic issues. The Republican base still supports him, indicating available MAGA votes, though his focus on very red states suggests a potential challenge for his party.