Israel's opposition won more seats than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's camp in Tuesday's vote, but it may not be able to form a government, NPR and The Guardian report. To get there, it would likely need help from Arab-led parties. Most opposition leaders have said no to that.

The Guardian reports Netanyahu's coalition lost about 10 of the 64 seats it won in 2022. If the opposition will not work with Arab-led parties, Netanyahu could stay on as caretaker or push for a new vote.

Netanyahu has called a government relying on Arab-led parties "a shame and a disgrace," NPR reports. He has urged right-wing parties to form a "strong national-right government."

Former diplomat Alon Pinkas said in an NPR interview that opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot could form a coalition with the Arab-led parties or lead a minority government with their outside support. Pinkas called the refusal to do so "myopic and reckless." He said Netanyahu "cannot form a government."

Yair Golan, leader of the center-left Democrats, said "Netanyahu lost. I know how to count," The Guardian reports. He called for a government with Arab citizens. They make up about 20 percent of Israel's people.

Arab-led party leaders say they are ready. "We are ready and prepared to pave the way for the ousting of the Netanyahu government," said Yousef Jabareen, leader of the Joint List.

The Guardian notes a precedent from the 1990s, when Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin relied on Arab-led parties' support for a minority government.

What we know: Netanyahu's bloc lost its majority, and the opposition needs Arab-led parties' support to replace him.
What we don't: Whether Eisenkot will accept that support, and who will get the first chance to form a government.