00:02Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cast his ballots in Jerusalem, urging Israelis to vote the right way in a pivotal
00:10election.
00:11For the first time since Hamas' October 7 attack, voters are judging Netanyahu's leadership
00:17after three years of regional war, deepening divisions and mounting questions over security.
00:22Turnout reached 16.68% in the first three hours, the highest at that stage since 1981.
00:31Meanwhile, position leader Gadi Esenkot met voters in near Oz, including former hostage Gadi Moses.
00:38The southern community was among those attacked by Hamas-led fighters on October 7, 2023.
00:45Esenkot pledged to dismantle Hamas' military and governing capabilities, promising to bring a different spirit to Israel.
00:52He also vowed to establish a state commission of inquiry into the security failures surrounding the attack,
00:59something Netanyahu's government has resisted.
01:02In Jerusalem, some voters demanded accountability and a change of government.
01:07Others said they continue to trust Netanyahu to protect the country.