Netanyahu short of majority after Israel's election

Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu has fallen short of capturing the majority needed to form a government, near-final election results showed on Wednesday.
Neither of the two main party leaders was able to command a majority in the 120-seat parliament following the last two rounds. 61 seats are needed to control the Knesset.
With over 99% votes counted, Netanyahu’s right-wing camp holds 58 seats. Netanyahu’s Likud led the way with 36 seats, ahead of challenger Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party, with 33 seats.
Netanyahu, who had been hoping for a clear win, admitted he did not have the parliamentary support to form a new government, but still claimed a victory: “This is what the nation decided. The public gave me more votes than any other candidate for prime minister in the nation’s history”.
Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term, having been in office from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009. However, there remains no guarantee that he can form a coalition.
The election took place two weeks before Netanyahu is due in court to face corruption charges. He was indicted last year on fraud, bribery and breach of trust charges in three separate corruption cases. He denies the allegations against him, saying the charges have been trumped up by a liberal media and a justice system looking to depose him.
The trial begins on 17 March, which coincides with the date by which President Reuvin Rivlin has to ask a candidate to form a government.