Israel election: Netanyahu's Likud 'set for win'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has claimed a surprise victory in Israel's election, the BBC reported citing Israeli media.
Earlier exit polls had suggested a dead heat with centre-left Zionist Union.
With most votes counted, Likud is said to be on course to take 29 seats in the 120-seat parliament, the Knesset, with the Zionist Union on 24 seats.
If confirmed, this would indicate another governing right-wing coalition led by Mr Netanyahu.
Speaking after the polls closed, Mr Netanyahu said he had already spoken to the leaders of other right-of-centre parties about forming a new government.
In a speech to his jubilant supporters in Tel Aviv, Mr Netanyahu described Tuesday's vote as a "great victory" for Likud, which had trailed the Zionist Union in opinion polls in the run-up to the election.