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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yashar chief Gadi Eisenkot wave to supporters at their respective party campaign headquarters, after the October 27, 2026, election. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

In the elections of May 1996, Shimon Peres, who had taken over the prime ministership following the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, went to bed convinced by the exit polls that he had retained power. He woke up to find that he had been defeated, by less than 30,000 votes, by Benjamin Netanyahu.

Tuesday’s count is still unfolding as I write — and it may be heading the same way.

The 10 p.m.…