ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) Former general Benny Gantz, the leader of centrist Blue and White Party, claimed victory in Israel's parliamentary election early on Wednesday after Israeli TV exit polls showed he appeared almost neck and neck with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing right-wing Likud Party for seats in parliament.

Gantz, who was greeted by cheerful supporters at his party's headquarters in tel Aviv, said he will form the next government.

Netanyahu also claimed victory and the polls indicated the prime minister was on course to secure a right-wing governing coalition.

With neither party capturing a ruling majority in the Knesset, the polls, on the country's main TV channels, put Netanyahu in a stronger position to form a government with the help of right-wing factions.