JERUSALEM, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli official said late Wednesday that Israel and Hamas are "very close" to reaching a Gaza ceasefire deal, Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported.

"Israel is preparing for a possible announcement on the deal in the next few hours," the official told Kan TV.

Israeli and Hamas delegations have been holding indirect negotiations in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh since Monday, discussing a 20-point plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza.

Since the war erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli airstrikes have devastated the Gaza Strip, causing widespread famine and displacement, and killing at least 67,183 people and injuring 169,841 others, according to Gaza's health authorities. ■