"There are large numbers of martyred or wounded people who have been on the streets for many days ... many of the martyrs have been mauled by stray dogs as the crews were unable to reach them," says civil defence spokesman in Gaza Mahmoud Basal, referring to the situation in northern Gaza's Jabalia. For more than a week, Israeli forces have been engaged in a sweeping air and ground assault targeting the north of the besieged territory amid claims that Palestinian militant group Hamas is regrouping in the area. SOUNDBITES