Netanyahu, main challenger both claim victory in election

However, Likud likely to muster enough support to control 65 of the Knesset's 120 seats

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger, Benny Gantz, were tied in the parliamentary elections on Wednesday morning with 97.4 percent of the votes counted, official figures from the Israeli Central Election Committee showed, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Netanyahu's Likud and Benny Gantz's Blue and White party were deadlocked on Wednesday at 35 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, or parliament.