Benny Gantz: We succeeded in our mission

The leader of Blue and White party Benny Gantz said he was negotiating to form a coalition government, but stopped short of declaring victory after Tuesday's elections.

"We succeeded in our mission and stuck to our path," Gantz said

Exit polls showed Gantz in a virtual tie with Benjamin Netanyahu, but analysts say he is better-positioned to form a coalition government, especially if results give his alliance a slight edge over the prime minister's right wing bloc. 

Despite being to the left of Netanyahu on domestic issues, Gantz, a centre-right former army chief, has also pledged to keep Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

In a platform released in March, his party pledged to "strengthen the settlement blocs and enable normal life anywhere Israelis live".