INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
By Sanya Burgess, news reporter Benjamin Netanyahu is poised for a historic fifth term as Israel's prime minister, but intense political
battles may lie ahead.The incumbent's main rival, Benny Gantz, has conceded defeat after Tuesday's election - but has vowed to make "life
hell" in opposition.With more than 99% of votes counted, Mr Netanyahu's Likud Party looks like it will be able to muster enough support to
control 65 of the Knesset's 120 seats - and be named as the head of the next coalition government.Image:Mr Netanyahu is poised for a record
fifth term in powerImage:Yair Lapid says the opposition will not make life easy for Mr NetanyahuYair Lapid, a senior official in the rival
Blue and White Party, said: "We didn't win in this round
We will make Likud's life hell in the opposition."He also vowed to "show the people of Israel what a real alternative looks like".Mr
Netanyahu's campaign has focused on his strong relationship with Donald Trump and his success in fostering ties with new allies such as
China, India and Brazil.Image:The rival Blue and White Party had initially claimed victory in Israel's electionsThe US president phoned Mr
Netanyahu to offer his congratulations from Air Force One, with the newly elected prime minister saying that he thanked his American ally
for his "tremendous support for Israel".More from Benjamin NetanyahuSpeaking to reporters, Mr Trump said the re-election improves the
chances of peace between Israel and the Palestinians, adding: "He's been a great ally and he's a friend
I'd like to congratulate him on a well-thought-out race."The election victory is set to give Mr Netanyahu an important boost as he braces
for the likelihood of criminal charges in a series of corruption scandals.Israel potentially now faces weeks of political negotiations over
the composition of a ruling coalition.Image:Initial exit polls were mixed, and some had suggested Benny Gantz's alliance was in the
leadPresident Reuven Rivlin will consult with party representatives next week before picking the candidate with the best chance of
assembling a parliamentary majority.For the first time, these discussions are going to be broadcast live on television "in the name of
transparency".This would be Mr Netanyahu's fourth consecutive term and his fifth overall - and this summer, the 69-year-old could become the
country's longest-serving leader.Reuven Hazan, a political scientist from Jerusalem's Hebrew University, said: "This is a clear beginning of
Netanyahu's fifth term, but his fifth term might end up being his shortest one."In another year, we might be in a battle for either
leadership of the Likud or another election."
