The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in Israel’s general election, with partial results putting him ahead of main rival Benny Gantz.

With 90% of votes counted, his Likud party and its right-wing allies were on course to win 59 seats, Israeli media reported. However, that would leave them two short of a majority.

Netanyahu nevertheless declared the outcome “the biggest win of my life”.

Monday’s election was Israel’s third in less than a year.

Neither of the two main party leaders was able to command a majority in the 120-seat parliament following the last two rounds.