Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday warned Hamas on rejecting a peace deal to end the war in Gaza, as negotiators from both sides were due to meet in Egypt Monday.

Netanyahu said Europe had "essentially become irrelevant" in the peace talks after several nations announced they were formally recognizing a Palestinian state.

His comments come as Israel and Hamas prepared for indirect negotiations in Egypt on Monday, as hopes for a possible ceasefire in Gaza grew after Netanyahu said a hostage release could be announced this week.

"I hope it will happen, but I can't guarantee that it will happen," Netanyahu told Euronews.

Tuesday marks two years since the Hamas attack that sparked the war.

President Donald Trump has welcomed a Hamas statement accepting some elements of the U.S. peace plan.

Israel has said it supported the new U.S. effort. Under the plan, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — about 20 believed to be alive — within three days. It would give up power and disarm.

A delegation led by top Israeli negotiator Ron Dermer will leave Monday for the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Netanyahu’s office said.

An Egyptian official said the Hamas delegation had arrived. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to brief reporters, said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is joining the talks.

Discussions will focus on the proposed exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, Egypt’s foreign ministry said.