Exit Poll Results Of Israeli Election Point To Narrow Winner

REKA Israel reports that Exit polls give Kadima narrow victory over Likud. This means that Tzippi Livni may become the next Premier Minister of Israel.

"All three major exit polls in Israel's elections for the 18th Knesset on Tuesday gave Tzippi Livni's ruling Kadima party a narrow edge over Binyamin Netanyahu's Likud party. Despite Kadima's projected win in the tightly contested race, officials in the Likud said they were convinced Netanyahu would form the next government because of the overall gains of the right-wing bloc.

"The polls showed Kadima winning 29-30 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Likud followed closely behind, with a projected 27-28 seats. Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party was projected to take 14-15 seats, becoming the third largest political party, followed by Labor at 13. The polls gave Shas 9-10 seats; Meretz 4-5 seats; National Union 3; Jewish Home 3-4 seats, United Torah Judaism 5; Hadash 4, United Arab List 2-4 seats and Balad 2-4 seats.

On the other hand the Jerusalem Post writes that Livni may not be able to form gov't due to large right-wing bloc. Kadima is expected to win 30 mandates, Likud - 28, Israel Beiteinu - 15 and Labor only 13; right-wing bloc slated to win 63-64, left-wing 56-57, writes JPost.

The paper also reported that both parties have claimed victory.

"At Likud headquarters, activists dismissed Kadima's edge and predicted Netanyahu would be tapped to form the next government.

Channel 10 quoted the Likud leader as saying "I will be the next prime minister of Israel."

Also reacting to the polls, Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar said, "Netanyahu will succeed in building a coalition."

Meanwhile, Hamas is watching in the hope of implementing the truce deal.

REKA continues that "a senior Hamas member says the Islamic group is awaiting the outcome of the Israeli election to know whether a long-term truce deal in Gaza can be reached. Osama Hamdan told the French news agency that Hamas is following the Israeli election, whose outcome will determine what will happen. Hamdan said that if Binyamin Netanyahu's Likud party wins, Hamas does not think the government will conclude an agreement. He said that if the current government -- led by Kadima -- wins it is possible an agreement can be reached.

While a Hamas official said this weekend that a truce deal could be clinched within a "few days," Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Monday that a lasting Gaza truce could come into effect "next week."

Based on REKA and Jerusalem Post reports.