Israel elections: Blue and White party concedes defeat

Leaders of Israel's Blue and White party have conceded defeat in the country's elections.

They have promised to become a staunch opposition to Benjamin Netanyahu's rule. Mr Netanyahu has served as the country's prime minister since 2009.

He previously held the position between 1996 and 1999.

Yair Lapid, the Blue and White party's second in command, said that though his party "did not win in this round, I respect the voters".

He said his party will "embitter" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's life from the opposition.

The Blue and White party, headed by former army chief of staff Benny Gantz, drew even with Mr Netanyahu's Likud party, but the incumbent prime minister is poised to form a government with his larger bloc of religious and nationalist allies.

Mr Gantz says his party has "founded a true alternative rule to Netanyahu".