With more than 3.4 million ballots counted as of early Wednesday morning in Israel, Likud had 27% of the votes, ahead of Blue and White at 25.9%. "This is an unimaginable achievement," Netanyahu told jubilant supporters at Likud Party headquarters in Tel Aviv.

New Right party says Netanyahu's intense media campaign to rally right-wing voters behind Likud dealt New Right potentially fatal blow

Blue and White leader says he got mandate to form government, but analysts see this a long shot. Netanyahu claims Right can form new government because of "clear victory."

i24NEWS will air the real election results right here

Netanyahu has easier task at forming coalition, but Gantz could get tacit support from Arabs. Blue and White, Likud in dead heat, with 36 seats each. Unity government likelier than ever.