Israeli voters are preparing to head to the polls in an election some have described as the most consequential in the country's history.

It's the first general election since the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023. Tuesday's vote could see Benjamin Netanyahu's almost two-decade-long period of right-wing rule replaced by a more left-leaning government.

Emerging as Netanyahu's main challenger is Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff, who says the election is about Israel's identity as a liberal and tolerant democracy.

Netanyahu has made security central to his campaign, warning that electing his rivals would risk making Israel less safe.

Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson reports.