Exit polls after Israel’s second general election in five months predict result is too close to call. PM Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party is projected to win 30 to 33 seats and Centrist Blue and White alliance of former military chief Benny Gantz is projected to win between 32 to 34 seats. Yisrael Beiteinu party leer Avigdor Lieberman may end up being a kingmaker.

' state of Israel is at a historical point': Netanyahu

Netanyahu called snap vote after failing to form a coalition government after having suffered one of biggest defeats of his political career following April vote. Negotiations on formation of a new coalition are expected to start as soon as preliminary results come on Wednesday morning.

Speaking to supporters early on Wednesday, Netanyahu said: 'We've all been through a difficult election campaign. We are still waiting for actual results but one thing is clear. state of Israel is at a historical point, we faced great opportunities and great challenges.' said Gantz, sounding optimistic. 'Of course we'll wait for real results, but it seems we have accomplished our mission. Unity and reconciliation is ahe of us', he ded.

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As exit polls were released, re was a muted response at Likud's election night hequarters in Tel Aviv. Hundreds of chairs for party supporters remained empty, as activists were kept outside hall and leers digested numbers.

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Final days of campaign

Recognising stakes, Netanyahu spent final days of campaign seeking to appeal to right-wing nationalists, key to his re-election bid -- and to boost turut among his base. Those efforts have included a controversial pledge to annex Jordan Valley in occupied West Bank, a third of territory. He has issued unfounded warnings that vote could be stolen by fraud in Arab communities, leing critics to accuse him of racism. But Netanyahu has also highlighted country's growing ecomy and his relationships with world leers such as US President Donald Trump. He has tried to label his main opponents "weak" and "leftist" despite ir security credentials. "This is choice that is open to you: ir left-wing government or a strong right-wing government led by me," he said Monday. Gantz has campaigned by presenting himself as an hourable alternative. He has repeatedly spoken of Netanyahu's willingness to form a coalition with far-right parties that could help him seek immunity. Gantz says his alliance, which includes three former military chiefs of staff, wants a unity government that vast majority of Israelis would support.

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(With PTI inputs)