Both blocs fall short of the 61 seats needed to form a government in initial forecasts as support for Palestinian parties surges

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The lead that exit polls gave to the opposition bloc early in the night has disappeared, with Netanyahu’s grouping now neck and neck with Gadi Eisenkot.

Israeli television networks gave the two blocs approximately 51 seats each in the 120 member Knesset - well below the 61 needed to govern. Palestinian parties meanwhile saw a surge in support, with exit polls showing them winning 17 or 18 seats between them.