Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was poised to secure a record fifth term in office on Wednesday despite running neck and neck with his rival Benny Gantz in the general election, the media reported. Ninety seven per cent of the votes had been counted showing Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party tied with ex-military chief Gantz's centrist Blue and White alliance with 35 seats each.

But Likud and its right-wing allies were in the lead and set to be the largest bloc with 65 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, the Times of Israel reported.