Netanyahu leads in Israeli election, but still lacks majority

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to his supporters as he campaigns at a Likud party rally ahead of the upcoming election, in Ramat Gan, Israel February 29, 2020. REUTERS/ Nir Elias

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led on Tuesday in Israel's third national election in less than a year but was short of a governing majority, nearly complete results showed.

Netanyahu claimed victory in Monday's vote over his main challenger, former armed forces chief Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White party, after exit polls projected the right-wing leader's Likud party had come out on top.