Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared victory – after an extremely close  election appears to have given him the upper hand – in forming Israel’s next coalition government.

Netanyahu took to social media and tweeted “against all odds” his Likud party and the nationalist camp had secured a “great victory.”

Initial exit polls showed Netanyahu’s Likud Party deadlocked with the centre-left Zionist Union.

Preliminary exit poll estimates released by the country’s three main broadcasters – showed the results were too close to call – but it appeared that if he’s the winner, Netanyahu will have an easier time bringing together a majority coalition – with hard-line and religious allies.

Netanyahu said he had already begun to call potential partners.

Polls closed at 10 pm local time (4pm et)

Official results are expected Wednesday morning.