Netanyahu, main challenger neck and neck after Israeli election: exit polls

Exit polls showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party finishing close second to his challenger Benny Gantz's Blue and White party after Israeli elections but the right wing bloc led by the Premier looks in a better position to form a coalition government.

Israelis Tuesday voted in the country's most closely fought election in years that will decide whether incumbent Netanyahu will get another term to become the longest serving premier in the Jewish state's history or be replaced with a former army chief.

Both Netanyahu and Gantz claimed victory minutes after the exit polls by Israel's three main television stations came out.

"The right-wing bloc led by Likud won a clear victory," Netanyahu wrote on Twitter.

"I thank the citizens of Israel for their faith. I will begin forming a right-wing government with our natural partners tonight already," the Prime Minister stressed.

Kahol Lavan (Blue and White) party also claimed victory saying, "We won!"