Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu appeared  on Wednesday morning to be on track to becoming the country’s longest-serving leader despite his Likud party winning the same number of seats as his rivals.

With 97% of votes already counted, both Likud and the Blue and White party led by former army general, Benny Gantz had won 35 seats in the 120-seat parliament in the Knesset.

The results however showed that Netanyahu would be in a much better position to form a majority governing coalition made up of nationalist, far-right and religious allies as Gantz has fewer potential factions to partner with.

A re-election would give Netanyahu a boost as he faces the looming prospect of three damning corruption indictments, with a pre-trial hearing set to begin in the coming weeks.

Even as final results might not be declared until Wednesday evening, a continuation of his 10-year rule also deadens hopes of an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Hours before it was clear what the result would be, both the 69-year-old Netanyahu and Gantz  buoyed by exit polls showing they had strong figures went on to declare victory.