Israelis have begun voting in an unprecedented repeat parliamentary election after an inconclusive vote five months ago.

Benjamin Netanyahu, already the country’s longest-serving prime minister, is seeking a fifth term in office, but faces an uphill struggle to secure enough partners to build a coalition.

His Likud party also faces a strong challenge from the Blue & White alliance led by Benny Gantz, the former IDF chief.

With the final opinion polls painting an uncertain picture, it is even possible that the two rival parties could be forced into a grand coalition.

• Live coverage: election updates from JC correspondents in London, Jerusalem and beyond

Voting began at 7 am local time (5 am in the UK) and will run until 10pm this evening, when the broadcasters will release their first exit polls.

“I think Bibi needs to go,” Gruny Tzivin, a 37-year-old teacher, told the AFP agency on Tuesday.

“After so many years it is time for a change and I think it fits with what I believe in for this country.”

But Mr Netanyahu has more natural supporters among the kaleidoscope of parties competing in this election and the outcome will depend on the precise allocation of Knesset seats.

The kingmaker is likely to be Yisrael Beiteinu, the nationalist party of Avigdor Lieberman, whose refusal to join Mr Netanyahu’s government earlier this year helped force the election.

“There will be no third elections, whether there are 61 seats or not,” Mr Lieberman said while casting his vote on Tuesday.

“We will need to find a proper arrangement. We will only support a broad liberal government. I will support no other government.”