The foreign ministers of Ireland and Malta have underscored the need for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that a two-state solution remains the "ultimate objective."

Simon Harris, Ireland’s Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, stressed the importance of all parties committing to the ceasefire.

"I think it is somewhat encouraging and hopeful that we see the names of the hostages that are due to be released tomorrow (Saturday)," Harris told Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of the three-day Munich Security Conference, which concludes on Sunday.

He highlighted the urgency of ensuring the return of all hostages to their families and adhering to every aspect of the ceasefire agreement.

"It is absolutely vital that all the hostages are returned to their families, and it is absolutely vital that all parts of the ceasefire deal are upheld by everyone," he stated.

Harris further noted the necessity of stabilizing the ceasefire to pave the way for discussions on reconstruction, humanitarian aid, governance, and security in Gaza.

"We need to get to a point where the ceasefire holds and then we can start talking about reconstruction, about aid, about governance and security in Gaza," he added.

Meanwhile, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg echoed similar concerns, expressing hope for a lasting truce.

"We hope that parties to the agreement stick to what they have agreed and to see the release of the hostages, the ceasefire to persist," Borg told Anadolu.

He also reiterated Malta’s long-standing position in favor of a permanent ceasefire.

"Malta was amongst the first to call for a permanent ceasefire, with the ultimate objective remaining the two-state solution," he said.

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported Wednesday that the death toll from Israel’s assault since October 2023 has reached 48,222, with vast destruction leaving Gaza in ruins.

A ceasefire agreement, in effect since January 19, has temporarily halted hostilities, bringing a fragile pause to the devastation inflicted on the Palestinian enclave.

In a significant legal development, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its actions in the besieged territory.

Shifting focus to the ongoing war in Ukraine, now nearing its third anniversary, Borg emphasized the necessity of achieving a just and lasting peace.

"It's important that the peace reached would be a just and the lasting one respecting, of course, Ukraine that was invaded and the victim in all this," he said.

His comments came amid growing speculation about potential peace talks in Munich following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent phone discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aimed at brokering an end to the conflict.