JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Partial election results showed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on course to win a fifth term in office on Wednesday, despite a victory claim from his main rival, according to Haaretz newspaper.

With 64 percent of the votes counted, Netanyahu was forecast to take 38 of Israel’s 120 Knesset seats, against 35 predicted for centrist Blue and White, headed by Netanyahu’s rival, former general Benny Gantz.

The partial results strengthened Netanyahu’s position compared with the early exit polls that were published immediately after voting ended on Tuesday night.