Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets supporters, alongside his wife Sara, at his Likud party headquarters on election night.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the Likud party election headquarters in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night to crowds chanting "Bibi" and fireworks on stage.

If Netanyahu was at all worried about his future after initial exit polls showed him in a tight race against rival Benny Gantz, he didn't show it.

"This is a night of great victory," Netanyahu said, adding that Likud had seen an "amazing success."

"I'm very touched that, for the fifth time, the people of Israel have believed in me."

Despite his confident speech, the inconclusive exit polls mean a tense night beckons for Netanyahu as he waits to see if his dream of becoming Israel's longest ever serving leader will be fulfilled. He would pass the founder of the state, David Ben Gurion, during the summer.