Israeli Prime Minister and Likud Party chief Benjamin Netanyahu on September 18 said that he is confident about regaining power, despite exit polls showing Benny Gantz, his direct rival from Blue and White party, taking a slight edge over him in country's recently culminated snap general polls.

As per 9 AM polls on Wednesday, 42% of votes h been counted, with Benjamin Netanyahu's party on 28%, and Blue and White on 27%. delock has led to speculations by Israeli media of a Likud party-led coalition at 54-57 seats, coming short of four seats needed to form a government in Knesset (unicameral national legislature).

Expressing his confidence of victory and criticising rivals at same time, Benjamin Netanyahu said, "re cant be a government that relies on parties that praise and glorify blood-thirsty terrorists who kill our soldiers, our citizens, our children,''  in a speech at Tel Aviv Expo Center on Wednesday.

Benjamin Netanyahu h earlier served as President of Israel from 996 to 1999, and later resumed power in 2009 and has been at Presidential seat until w.

RE| Benjamin Netanyahu accuses Iran of 'wiping out' secret nuclear site

Benjamin Netanyahu's call for Zionist government

Netanyahu dressed supporters at party hequarters in early hours of Wednesday stating that Israel will enter into negotiations to establish a strong Zionist government and to prevent a dangerous anti-Zionist government. He me “anti-Zionist” reference for Israel’s Arab parties, with exit polls showing y could become third-largest force in parliament. He said that Israel is at a historic point and that  country is facing immense opportunities, and immense challenges, including existential threat from Iran.

"Israel needs a strong government, a stable government, a Zionist government, a government that is committed to Israel as nation-state of Jewish people," he said.

RE| Facebook suspends Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's p for hate speech

Benjamin Netanyahu's Presidential run

Wednesday's polls will be  second time that Israel has gone to polls this year. In April elections, Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to narrowly beat Gantz, but he failed to form a coalition government and so forced a repeat vote to give himself ar chance. Israeli President is fighting t only for his political life but also his freedom. re are three major corruption cases against him whose pre-trial hearings are just weeks away and a majority in 120-seat parliament could help grant him immunity from prosecution. Last week, Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to declare up to a third of occupied West Bank as part of Israel if he was re-elected and Gantz swiftly accused his political opponent of stealing his idea.

WATCH | Benjamin Netanyahu rushed off st after rockets fired from Gaza

RE| Israel goes to poll on Tuesday, survival test for Benjamin Netanyahu