The head of the UN's mine action program in the occupied Palestinian territories warned Tuesday that explosive ordnance in Gaza and the occupied West Bank continues to endanger civilians and hinder humanitarian efforts.

"The threat of explosive ordnance in Gaza and the West Bank is present and impacting the lives of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid, including since the ceasefire began," Luke Irving stated during a virtual press conference from Gaza.

Irving noted that the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has encountered various types of explosive devices over the past 14 months, including "aerial bombs, mortars, rockets, projectiles, grenades, and improvised explosive devices." These remnants of war, he added, have resulted in civilian casualties and obstructed humanitarian operations.

"These have killed and injured civilians in Gaza, and they have risked preventing humanitarian activities from taking place safely," he said.

Highlighting the dangers posed by unexploded Israeli ordnance, Irving reported that "at least 92 people have been killed or injured from exposed ordnance since October 23," with additional incidents being recorded both before and during the ceasefire. He further described the risks civilians face as they return to previously inaccessible areas.

"We have already received informal reports of civilians coming across explosive ordnance in their homes," he said.

Humanitarian teams, he noted, are also encountering explosive remnants while gaining access to new areas. "Humanitarian convoys are finding items more and more as we reach new areas which we previously could not get to. This includes large aircraft bombs, mortars, anti-tank weapons, rockets, and rifle grenades," he explained.

While unable to confirm the full casualty count from explosive ordnance, Irving stated that UNMAS has received reports of "24 victims since the ceasefire is taking place, which averages to over two people per day."

In the occupied West Bank, he warned that the situation is deteriorating amid ongoing Israeli hostilities.

"We report a significant increase in the number of explosive items found over the past months throughout the West Bank, including in populated areas," he said.

Meanwhile, Gaza's Government Media Office issued a warning on Wednesday about the risks posed by remnants of war left behind by invading Israeli units. The office reported that hospitals across Gaza have admitted several people injured by explosive ordnance.

In the same vein, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said, on Tuesday, that efforts to rebuild Gaza face immense obstacles, including unexploded ordnance scattered across devastated neighborhoods. The humanitarian organization further warned that clearing these remnants of war will take years, significantly delaying the reconstruction of homes, infrastructure, and essential services.

Read next: Israeli unexploded bombs threaten returning residents' safety in Gaza 

80% of displaced Palestinians return to Northern Gaza

In a related context, the Gaza Government Media Office reported Wednesday that 80% of displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza in recent days.

For the fourth consecutive day, people have been using al-Rashid Road to travel to Gaza City and nearby areas, carrying whatever belongings they could along the 7-kilometer route, which has been severely impacted by Israeli bombings.

However, the office noted that the available tents are insufficient to meet the needs of those returning. "The number of tents that have entered the Strip is insufficient to meet the needs," it stated.

Additionally, the office expressed concern over the reduction in the number of aid trucks entering Gaza, which contradicts the terms of the ceasefire. "Large quantities of aid are still stuck at the borders of the Gaza Strip," it added.

It is worth noting that the Palestinian government in the Gaza Strip demanded, on Tuesday, that the implementation of the humanitarian protocol regarding the catastrophic situation be expedited to guarantee the entry of relief and shelter materials urgently and without restrictions.