Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared well placed to return to power after exit polls showed his right-wing bloc heading for a narrow majority lifted by a strong showing from his far-right allies.
Israel's longest-serving premier, on trial over corruption charges which he denies, was poised to take 61-62 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, according to Israeli television exit polls.
The early exit polls may differ from the final result of the election, which is not expected until later in the week but the results pointed to a stronger-than-expected showing by the right.
Israel's fifth election in less than four years exasperated many Israeli voters.
The campaign was shaken up by right-wing firebrand Itamar Ben-Gvir and his ultra-nationalist Religious Zionism bloc, now poised to be the third-largest party with 15 seats in parliament.
Security on the streets and surging prices topped the list of voter concerns in a campaign triggered by defections from Prime Minister Yair Lapid's unlikely ruling coalition of right-wing, liberal and Arab parties.
But policy issues have been overshadowed by the outsized personality of Mr Netanyahu, whose legal battles have fed the stalemate blocking Israel's political system since he was indicted on bribery, fraud and breach of trust charges in 2019.
Mr Netanyahu, 73, has been counting on support from Mr Ben-Gvir and fellow far-right leader Bezalel Smotrich.
The prospect of Mr Ben-Gvir, a former member of Kach, a group on Israeli and US terrorist watchlists, joining a coalition risks alarming allies including Washington.
The campaign, which opened weeks after a brief conflict with the militant Islamic Jihad group in Gaza in August, has also unrolled against a backdrop of increasing violence in the occupied West Bank, with near-daily raids and clashes.
Casting his ballot in Jerusalem earlier today, Mr Netanyahu, after warning supporters about a potentially high turnout for his opponents, said: "I told you I was a little bit worried but God willing...we will finish the day with a smile."
Casting his vote in the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Arba where he lives, Mr Ben-Gvir told reporters: "Here, with one ballot, hopefully Netanyahu will become prime minister, (and) a right-wing government will be formed".
Mr Lapid has campaigned on diplomatic advances with countries including Turkey and Lebanon as well as on a strong performance by the Israeli economy which has weathered the turbulent global environment in relatively good shape.
Flanked by supporters outside a polling centre in Tel Aviv, Mr Lapid said: "This election is between the future and the past so go vote today for the future of our children, for the future of our country."
