Netanyahu's Likud party gaining slender lead against Gantz: Israel exit polls
Netanyahu along with his wife Sara cast their vote in Jerusalem
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on a clearer path to victory on Wednesday in Israel's general election after updated exit polls showed him gaining ground on his main rival.
Two updated exit polls by Israeli television channels put his rightwing Likud ahead of rival Benny Gantz's Blue and White by one seat.
One of the polls further improved his chances of forming a coalition government based on smaller rightwing parties allied to Netanyahu.
Israel's public broadcaster also cited early official results in projecting that Likud would win 40 seats out of 120 in parliament compared to Blue and White's 35, though only around 40 per cent of the votes were counted.
Both men claimed victory after initial exit polls were released following the closure of polling stations on Tuesday night.
Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term while facing the possibility of indictment on corruption charges.
Gantz, a former military chief, has put up a strong challenge with his centrist alliance.
Both men claimed victory after the exit surveys were released by Israel's three main television stations following the closure of polling places at 1900 GMT.
As the exit poll results came in, Netanyahu in a statement said "the right-wing bloc led by Likud won a clear victory."
"I thank the citizens of Israel for the trust. I will begin forming a right-wing government with our natural partners tonight."
The announcement of the exit polls brought a mixture of cheers and trepidation from their supporters gathered at post-election parties in Tel Aviv.
Exit polls have proven to be unreliable in past Israeli elections, and final official results were not expected until early Wednesday.