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CNN Live Saturday

Middle East Crisis Deepens

Aired July 15, 2006 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hair trigger, the crisis deepens in one of the world's most potentially explosive hotspots. Israel deploys Patriot missiles to protect Haifa and expands its air strike in Lebanon, taking the conflict to Syria's very doorstep.

Hello, I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN center in Atlanta where we're getting new reports on the Middle East crisis minute by minute. Here's what we know right now.

Israel expanded its air strikes inside Lebanon today, targeting bridges and access routes near the Lebanese-Syrian border. The Israelis say they're trying to stop weapons shipments and head off the chance that Hezbollah militants in Lebanon may try to cross the border with two abducted Israelis soldiers.

Also, Israeli planes dropped leaflets urging Lebanese citizens to reject Hezbollah. But in a fiery televised speech today, Lebanon's prime minister vowed to resist the Israeli attack. The Israeli Defense Forces say more than 75 Hezbollah missiles were fired into Northern Israel today.

In response they have deployed Patriot missiles, Israel has, in a bid to protect the city of Haifa. We have CNN reporters stationed across the Middle East from Israel to Lebanon to Syria and Gaza; we're following the escalating Middle East crisis from all angles.

Israeli military leaders appear to be preparing for an even wider conflict. Let's bring in CNN's Paula Newton in Jerusalem -- Paula?

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, first, if we can go to the reaction from the Israeli government to what the Lebanese prime minister said, especially the fact that he asked for a ceasefire, as opposed to the reaction, fairly predictable, saying, that in fact that, according to a U.N. resolution, the Lebanese government was supposed to dismantle Hezbollah. That has not happened. And so until Hezbollah is dismantled the Israeli government says there will be no ceasefire in the cards.

At this point, as you said, they are preparing for a deeper crisis right now and the Israeli people are preparing for that. We've seen in the last three days the Israeli people are really now being affected by this crisis. As we speak, almost one million Israelis are taking shelter in their basements and bomb shelters or in safe rooms and still looking out for those rockets. Interesting what happened today was the Israeli battleship was towed into a port in northern Israel. It was damaged last night by a missile. Three Navy sailors are still missing. One body was recovered. We did get reports that, in fact, two bodies were recovered but the Israeli defense forces are only confirming one at this point.

You know Fredricka, that whole attack was symbolically not very good for the Israeli military forces. It really did come off as if they were flat footed. While they may have a lot of strength in the air and everyone can see that, many people in Lebanon were spirited by the fact that this attack, and Hezbollah does vow there is more to come.

Also worrying Fredricka, is a new development today where Israeli intelligence sources tell CNN that they do now believe that there could be as many as a couple of dozen long range missiles in the possession of Hezbollah and that means they can hit more high value targets in Israel -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: And is there any speculation as to how they obtained those long range missiles?

NEWTON: All the speculation coming is that they came from Iran, in the words of an Israeli spokesperson, they have the fingerprints of Iran all over them. There are also concerns that a lot of these missiles are still being struggled in from Iran and that is what the Israeli defense forces say they are trying to avoid. And that's why they say they continue their relentless air strikes trying to take out roads, bridges, anything that can be used as a supply route to Hezbollah.

WHITFIELD: All right, Paula Newton, thank you so much from Jerusalem.

Well, meantime there were more Israeli air strikes in Beirut today including attacks on the Hezbollah and Hamas headquarters. Let's get the latest now from CNN's Alessio Vinci -- Alessio?

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello Fredricka. In addition to expanding its air targets towards the border with Syria, today we've seen in the last few hours increased activities especially coming from the Israeli air forces targeting especially port cities around the coast towns of Lebanon.

We understand that targets have included, of course, Beirut's port. A wheat silo there was hit as well as a lighthouse. We understand further to the north, about 10 miles to the north, the port of Juniyah was also targeted and further on, the ports of Batrun as well as Biblos (ph).

We understand from the Israeli military, that is confirming for the first time since the beginning of this conflict, that the Israeli aircraft have been confronted by Lebanese, by Lebanese regular army anti-aircraft fire. That is what exactly the Prime Minister, the Lebanese prime minister was talking about in a very emotional address to his people here. There was a broadcast live on Lebanese television here, telling that Lebanon has the right to self-defense and that it will defend themselves.

He also called on the need of a ceasefire, including an end to this collective punishment. He again turned on the international community, asking it to help it out and especially to help out, to extend its authority in the south part of the country where Hezbollah is actually controlling.

WHITFIELD: And, Alessio, how is the Lebanese government trying to separate itself from the actions of Hezbollah?

VINCI: Well, it's quite incredible if you think about it. Throughout that emotional address that the prime minister made today, not a single time did he mention the word "Hezbollah." If you think about it, these three or four days of confrontations have taken place because Hezbollah has captured two Israeli soldiers.

The reason why there is a confrontation is because in the southern part of this country, Hezbollah has total control, absolutely free range of movement. The Lebanese army there has not control, the government has no control. We've heard Israel saying it would stop shelling once Hezbollah is disarmed. The Lebanese government has absolutely no power in enforcing that kind of U.N. resolution, and that is why the Prime Minister today in his address called the international community for help because perhaps he even realized himself he doesn't have that power.

And then, very interesting, 24 hours ago, we heard from the Hezbollah leader, making very fiery remarks, saying there is all-out war against Israel. This time around we're hearing from the prime minister trying to reclaim perhaps a little bit of authority in a stance here. We haven't seen much of him on television to be honest with you. And calling on the people to be united, to be united in perhaps in only one thing, actually, in condemning the attacks that Israel is perpetrating against what they see as the civilian population in the country.

WHITFIELD: Alessio Vinci in Beirut, thanks so much for that update.

The Bush administration is watching developments in Lebanon with deepening concern. In an interview with CNN today the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs blamed the crisis on Hezbollah and called for an end to Hezbollah's attacks on Israel.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

C. DAVID WELCH, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS: There are some very alarming and dangerous statements coming out of the Secretary General of Hezbollah, which indicate that they intend to continue their acts against Israel, and in violation of international law.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Despite the crisis, Welch said he does not believe U.S. forces will be drawn into this conflict.

U.S. officials are working on plans, however, to evacuate Americans from Lebanon. And as you can imagine, many are desperate to leave.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stay where you're at is probably the best thing you can do.

CAROLINE SHAMOUN, LEBANESE CITIZEN: I guess so.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you nervous?

SHAMOUN: Yes, they are very afraid and wondering when we're going to be able to leave and asking, you know, for being safe.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well stay safe. I can't wait to have you back home again.

SHAMOUN: We do, too, and we're waiting to hear from, you know, the government, since we called and left our number and everything, so we're waiting to get support.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very good. Stay where you're at near a phone.

SHAMOUN: OK. Thank you.

WHITFIELD: So Caroline, how are you hoping to get information, if, indeed, some sort of airlift or air bridge is conducted to get you and other Americans out of Lebanon? How do you expect to be informed of that so you're in the right place at the right time?

SHAMOUN: We were waiting. Some people are telling us maybe by next week, we will hear on Monday. That would be after tomorrow, we'll hear it on the news and we would have to head out to go where the point where they told us to leave. And we were expecting, maybe, to go to Cypress. That's maybe the easiest way. And then fly by there. From there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: That was a conversation I had about two hours ago with a husband and wife. The wife being in Lebanon, stranded there, along with other family members including her children and her husband, who is stateside here in Texas. And their dialogue continues as they try to figure out how she, Caroline Shamoun (ph), is going to get out of Lebanon.

Meantime, U.S. officials are considering the possibility of flying Americans from Lebanon to Cypress, but as CNN's senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre reports, there are some pretty big obstacles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The open warfare between Israel and Hezbollah has essentially trapped an estimated 25,000 Americans in Lebanon. The State Department says all U.S. citizens, except essential embassy personnel, should consider leaving what has become a war zone.

The American embassy in Beirut has put an authorized departure policy in effect. But with no safe way out for now, most Americans are on their own.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Conditions permitting, we have urged American citizens to leave, consider leaving Lebanon. But again, they have to take into account their own personal security, that's going to be a decision that they have to make themselves.

MCINTYRE: With Beirut's main airport cratered by Israeli bombs, the usual manner of evacuating Americans, chartering commercial aircraft, is not an option. Although under a brief ceasefire, Israel allowed Lebanon to move five airliners to safety and also permitted the former Lebanese Prime Minister's private plane to take off before the runway was bombed again.

Pentagon sources say the U.S. military is considering a number of options if an emergency evacuation is ordered. The nearest U.S. ships with helicopters are part of a seven ship task force headed by the Iwo Jima, which is in the Red Sea. It would take several days, though, for it to move back through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean because it would first have to collect many of its 2,200 marines who are ashore in Jordan on an exercise.

Another option would be to move helicopters to the nearby island of Cypress, roughly 150 miles from Beirut. Close enough for un- refueled helicopter runs back and forth.

It's also possible the U.S. may work out a brief ceasefire to use the Beirut international airport, given its close ties to the Israeli government. Whatever the U.S. does it won't be in secret. The last thing the U.S. military wants to do is draw ground fire by sending in evacuation helicopters that could be confused for Israeli helicopter gun ships.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And perhaps you are trying to find out about relatives visiting or living in Lebanon, you can contact the State Department at these numbers. For those of you overseas, call 01-202- 501-4444. If you're inside the U.S., call 1-888-407-4747.

U.S. citizens can also register with the State Department online and details about possible evacuation plans can be found at the State Department's web site which is travel.state.gov. Look under "travel warnings" on the left-hand side of the screen and follow the instructions from there. The crisis in the Middle East is overshadowing other major issues at the G8 summit. The gathering of world leaders, including President Bush, is now under way in Russia. We check in now with CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux in St. Petersburg -- Suzanne?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, those leaders have gathered in St. Petersburg of the G-8, and, of course, tonight it is simply enjoying dinner and entertainment. But the real talks begin in earnest tomorrow.

The summit really comes at a critical time, however, amid growing concerns of a possible all out war erupting in the Middle East. Today we heard from President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both of them, of course, saying that they called for an end to the violence, condemning this violence during their press conference. But they also staked out different views on Israel's continuing military strikes on Lebanon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: The best way to stop the violence is to understand why the violence occurred in the first place. And that's because Hezbollah has been launching rocket attacks out of Lebanon into Israel, and because Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers. That's why we have violence. The best way to stop the violence is for Hezbollah to lay down its arms and to stop attacking. And therefore, I call upon Syria to excerpt influence over Hezbollah.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA: It is absolutely unacceptable to try and reach goals, including political goals, through the use of force, through abductions, through carrying out strikes against an independent state from the territory of another state. This is all true, and in this context, we consider Israel's concerns to be justified. At the same time, we work (ph) the exception that the use of force should be balanced. And, in any case, bloodshed should stop as soon as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now, Fred, of course, it's expected that the leaders of the G8 will come up with some sort of joint statement condemning the violence, but given the differences between the two world leaders it's far from certain what kind of clout that statement, that joint communique, is going to really have, what kind of weight it's going to carry.

You've got Russian and France, and both of their leaders coming out saying they believe Israel is overreacting, that it's disproportionate to the events that led up to those strikes. You have U.S. and Germany on the other side disagreeing. So there clearly is a lot of work to be done among these world leaders.

Also, I should let you know as well when it comes to North Korea and Iran, trying to get both of them to abandon their nuclear programs, disagreement, again, we heard between President Bush and president Putin. Bush insisting on a "get tough" approach with Iran, simply saying that economic sanctions, the "get tough" approach is the best way to go, if it does not comply with the will of international community. Putin today saying he did not believe in this harsh action saying, "We will not participate in any crusades or holy alliances."

So, Fred, a lot of work to be done here among these leaders and that begins in earnest tomorrow.

WHITFIELD: All right, big weekend. Thanks so much, Suzanne Malveaux in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Now let's get the latest on the developments in the Middle East. Let's check in again with Anand Naidoo at the update desk.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN ANCHOR: Fredricka, thanks a lot. It's been a day of escalating violence in the Middle East. The Israelis have the offensive in Lebanon has intensified somewhat.

I'm going to show you some pictures now of the aftermath of Hezbollah attacks on the Israeli town of Nahariya. There pictures we received just minutes ago, the aftermath of those attacks. This town has borne the brunt of Hezbollah attacks, it being so close to the Lebanese border. It's about 10 miles from the Lebanese border.

Earlier today it was attacked with about 12 Katyusha rockets; we heard there were no injuries. And in the past three hours or so, another four rockets were fired on this town. As you can see, the damage in the town is very, very extensive. We've had no reports of injuries. Our correspondent there tells us most people are off the streets and getting out of harm's way.

Israel, meanwhile, as I mentioned, intensified its attacks on Lebanon, launching strikes against targets both in the north of the country and the south of the country. In the north of the country it attacked bridges and roads. And it also for the first time attacked targets in central Beirut as well as in the port area on the city of Tripoli and the city of Junai.

It also attacked a border post which was in the north, the border between Syria and Lebanon. It attacked the Lebanese side of the border post saying it was trying to prevent the smuggling of weapons. Or the removal of those captured Israeli soldiers, fears that they may be moved into Syria -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Anand, thanks so much for that update. And you'll want to stay with CNN for the latest on the violence in the Middle East and the war in Iraq. Join John Roberts. He's hosting "THIS WEEK AT WAR," coming up at 5:00 p.m. eastern only on CNN.

And in a moment we plan to interview the spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces to find out exactly what their strategy is in this ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

More in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: Violence spreading fast and furious in the Middle East. The crisis is intensifying. Here's what we know right now. Within the last hour Lebanon's Prime Minister delivered a televised plea for Israel to stop its assault, and for the international community to help in the crisis.

Israeli fighter planes are pounding sites in and around the Lebanese capital as well as to the north and south and near the Syrian border.

Also, 82 people are listed dead in the violence in Lebanon so far. Israel reports 13 of its citizens killed.

Israel has been saying that it has the right to defend itself. The spokesperson for the IDF, the Israeli Defense Forces, Captain Jacob Dallal joins us now from Jerusalem. Captain, what is the strategy?

JACOB DALLAL, IDF SPOKESMAN: The strategy is, if the Lebanese government won't take responsibility, the strategy is to put Hezbollah out of business. We're not going to allow a terrorist organization from Lebanese sovereignty to come across the border to kill our soldiers, to abduct other soldiers, and then to rain 400 missiles in 72 hours on cities all across the northern part of our country.

People are in bomb shelters now. Over one million people are targets. We're going to have to take a very heavy handed against Hezbollah if Lebanon won't do it.

WHITFIELD: So, it is the position of the IDF that the Lebanese government very much can have greater control over the actions of Hezbollah when, as we've been reporting, the two, according to the Prime Minister, are acting separately?

DALLAL: No, no, no. Excuses, excuses, excuses. Israel withdrew from Lebanon six years ago and redeployed along a U.N. recognized international border. The U.N. asked Lebanon to deploy its forces along the south and to take the weapons away from Hezbollah. For six years, Lebanon hasn't done it, because Lebanon wasn't interested in doing it. Instead they allowed one of the world's worst terrorist organizations to flourish in the southern part of the country and in Beirut.

WHITFIELD: Let's talk about the...

DALLAL: And now they attack us.

WHITFIELD: Let's talk about the here and now with your strikes primarily is what we've been learning from your office, you primarily targeting the roads and access routes in order to, I guess, blockade any kind of trafficking of weaponry from Hezbollah into your country, or perhaps even try to transport these abducted soldiers, is that correct?

DALLAL: Yes. That's only a small part of what we're doing. Mainly what we're doing is targeting Hezbollah. Their headquarters in Beirut, their outposts, their rocket launchers, their offices. We are going to take care of this terrorist organization if the government of Lebanon is not going to take responsibility and do so itself.

WHITFIELD: So if that's primarily the target, then what is the explanation for the latest reports of a mini-bus loaded with people claiming the lives of 15 in Lebanon as a result of Israeli strikes?

DALLAL: First of all, we have nothing against the Lebanese people. We want to live in peace and quiet and we want them to live in peace and quiet. But there is a terrorist organization, and from that specific area there have been missiles launched repeatedly at Israel. So, we don't want -- we try to keep civilians out of harm's way as much as possible. We never want to harm civilians.

WHITFIELD: When you talk about that area, are you talking about southern Lebanon?

DALLAL: Yes, southern Lebanon. Yes, that specific village, in fact, is a major point for launching rockets.

WHITFIELD: Okay.

DALLAL: And they choose to launch rockets from these villages.

WHITFIELD: All right, real quick, before I let you go, the battleship, your Israeli battleship that apparently was struck, and reportedly pulled into port, is it true that one body of a soldier has been recovered and you're still searching for three others?

DALLAL: That's correct. One body has been recovered and three others are missing. I just point out that this was an Iranian-made land-to-sea missile. This is a very sophisticated piece of weaponry, and this was made in Iran. So, Hezbollah has help from Syria, from Iran, and freedom to do whatever it wants from Lebanon. That's our problem.

WHITFIELD: All right. Captain Jacob Dallal, joining us from Jerusalem with the IDF. Thanks so much. Of course, we're still awaiting clarification as to whether Iran whether it did, indeed, support that land-to-sea missile, provided that for this actual current escalation of violence. Thanks so much, captain.

Well, what is Hezbollah? And why are so many worried about its influence? Coming up, we'll have some answers.

And wildfires here in the U.S. still fueling fears out west. We'll have the latest from there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Half past the hour.

Here's what's happening right now in the news.

Israel is expanding its air strikes in Lebanon. Israeli defense officials say targets include Hamas and Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut. Lebanon's prime minister is calling for a U.N.-backed cease- fire to end what the prime minister is calling Israeli aggression.

Meanwhile, at a meeting in Cairo, strong statements from the Arab League's secretary general -- the Middle East peace process is dead. The secretary general blames "certain powers" for not curbing Israel. The foreign ministers are calling on the U.N. Security Council to step and stop the current crisis.

The Middle East crisis is on the minds of the G8 leaders meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia. President Bush said Hezbollah could stop the violence by laying down its arms and ending its attacks. The president called on Syrian leaders to exert their influence over Hezbollah.

Destination -- Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The Space Shuttle Discovery has undocked from the International Space Station. It is set to make a Monday morning touch down, barring any unforeseen problems.

Meantime, here on Earth, on the West Coast, big problems. Smoke darkening the skies above the tinderbox known as Southern California. Two large wildfires have melded into one and now crews are dealing with two more fires in addition to this one massive one.

The biggest concern, though, is in Yucca Valley.

That's where CNN's Dan Simon is -- Dan.

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Fredericka Whitfield.

Well, the biggest challenge today is the heat. We've got triple digit temperatures out here. It's absolutely horrid conditions for these firefighters. We are here at the command central at Yucca Valley High School. This is where we're getting our constant updates.

If you look up in the sky, you might think those were clouds. But that's actually smoke. The fire burning in an extremely remote area right now. More than 95 square miles have been torched at this point.

At the high school today, we saw Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He came here to pat the firefighters on the back, tell them that they're doing a great job. Also got a briefing.

The governor acknowledged that while no homes are really in danger at this point, he said it's still a very volatile situation.

Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA: I see no -- this is a very dangerous situation. The weather conditions are such with this wind and a lot of heat that is perfect conditions for wildfires. So, of course, we have 4,000 firefighters here that are working day and night, around the clock, and doing an incredible job. And I want to just say congratulations and thank you to all of those, the various different fire departments.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIMON: Well, the Big Bear community is not in danger at this point, which is a huge relief. A lot of homes in that area. But a couple of days ago we saw many homes touched by this fire, Fredericka.

According to the latest statistics, 56 homes destroyed by the fire, as well as 150 buildings. Also a lot of cars and trucks. You don't necessarily think about that, but nearly 200 cars and trucks destroyed by this fire.

And in terms of where we are with the containment, we're looking right now at about 45 percent, which is a huge improvement over yesterday. And crews making good progress despite the fact that you're still dealing with some very challenging elements with the hit and a bit wind at times. But so far, they're being successful at holding the flames back and not letting the fire get into some of these populated communities -- Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: And, so, Dan, are the firefighting crews getting a lot of help from outside California?

SIMON: So far, all I've seen are California crews. But, you know, typically in situations like this, you will get firefighters from the outside. But in terms of what I've seen, just California crews. And as the governor mentioned, you've got about 4,000 firefighters on the ground battling this blaze. And you also have like something like three dozen aircraft. So certainly an aggressive approach on this one.

WHITFIELD: Dan Simon, thanks so much, from Yucca Valley.

Well, California is not the only place where weather is a worry today.

Parts of the Midwest are expecting temperatures to top the century mark.

Let's get a check with meteorologist Jacqui Jeras for the very latest -- it's hot and dry everywhere, it seems.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It is.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: well, again, an update on what's happening.

In the Middle East, Israel is lashing out against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The latest on the fighting straight ahead.

Also, think the Middle East is a world away? Well, think again. The crisis there is going to have an impact on your wallet. We'll explain how.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE) DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): David Neeleman is the driving force behind JetBlue Airways. He founded the low cost airline in 2000 with a goal -- to bring comfort back to air travel. With one class service featuring leather seats and satellite TV, Neeleman is doing just that, and keeping prices low by cutting out full meal service and flying into less popular airports.

With the rise of fuel costs, JetBlue's profit has suffered a loss, but Neeleman sees nothing but blue skies ahead.

DAVID NEELEMAN, CHAIRMAN & CEO, JETBLUE AIRWAYS: It's not what happens to you, it's how you react to it and how you change for the better. You have to have confidence in your abilities. I think if you just stay focused and stay positive, then, you know, you can accomplish great things.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: now an update on the Middle East.

Israel expanded its air strikes inside Lebanon tonight, targeting bridges and access routes near the Lebanese-Syrian border. Lebanese officials say several Lebanese Army positions have been hit, as well. Also, Israeli planes dropped leaflets urging Lebanese citizens to reject Hezbollah.

But in a fiery televised speech today, Lebanon's prime minister denounced what he called Israeli aggression. And amid continuing Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces have deployed Patriot missiles in a bid to protect the City of Haifa.

Israel's fight against Hezbollah is turning attention away from the Jewish state's other battlefront -- Gaza. That's actually where the conflict began, at least this time.

Our Ben Wedeman joins us now from Gaza City -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Fredericka.

much of the attention, even here, in fact, is on Lebanon. There's been relatively little Israeli military action here over -- in the last 24 hours. We've seen one Palestinian ministry rocketed, a bridge just south of here hit and also a building to the north of Gaza City, where Israeli officials say rockets were being manufactured and stored, rockets which they do believe would be used against Israel.

But, as I said, really, it's been relatively quiet here.

We're on a street corner here in Gaza City, just below our office. We thought we'd show you around a bit and let you see how it is. It's about 9:40 at night here, so things are quieting down a bit. It's -- this is a -- this part of town is not a refugee camp. These are stores and office buildings. And if you -- actually, if you come forward just a little bit you'll see a man with a gun-here. I think he wants to step out of the picture.

What I can tell you is he's not a Hamas gunman. He's obviously somebody's bodyguard. The reason I say he's not a Hamas gunman, because it's very -- they're very easy to identify. Many of them have beards. He's clean-shaven. So he's obviously the bodyguard of somebody else.

Anyway, let's step into this shop here. This is a nut shop run- by a man called Abu Mohammed (ph). Now, he does not speak English, so you're going to have to bear with me as I speak to him and do a quick translation for you.

So let's come in. Come in.

(SPEAKING IN ARABIC)

WEDEMAN: Abu Mohammed. I asked him, you know, how things are.

And he says, "Praise to God."

(SPEAKING IN ARABIC)

WEDEMAN: Which -- that's what it means.

(SPEAKING IN ARABIC)

WEDEMAN: I asked him how businesses was? He says businesses is terrible. There just isn't much going on.

Now I'm going to ask him -- he's watching Jazeera Television right now. I'm going to ask him how he feels about the situation in Lebanon.

(SPEAKING IN ARABIC)

WEDEMAN: And he says as far as the news from Lebanon goes, it's very sad. It's a pity that so many people are being killed there.

So lots of people are really glued to their television sets, watching was going on in Lebanon, not necessarily here -- Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Ben Wedeman, thanks so much.

And thanks for that dialogue with the man who owns that nut shop there in Gaza City.

And you'll want to stay with CNN for the latest on the violence in the Middle East and the war in Iraq.

Join John Roberts, who is hosting "THIS WEEK AT WAR," coming up at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, only on CNN this evening.

Well, this woman right here says some of the most powerful people in the U.S. government have done her wrong and she's taking her fight right to the top. Find out why the president and vice president are at the center of a new lawsuit, when we come right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: In Legal Briefs today, former CIA operative Valerie Plame takes Vice President Dick Cheney, Karl Rove and other White House brass to court. She and her husband, former Ambassador Joe Wilson, have filed a federal lawsuit.

CNN's Brian Todd reports.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Three years to the day after a newspaper column revealed her classified identity, we hear former CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson's voice for the first time...

VALERIE PLAME WILSON, FORMER CIA OPERATIVE: I and my former CIA colleagues trusted our government to protect us as we did our jobs.

TODD: ... on why she is suing some of the most powerful people in the Bush White House.

PLAME WILSON: That a few reckless individuals within the current administration betrayed that trust has been a grave disappointment to every patriotic American.

TODD: Wilson and her husband, former Ambassador Joe Wilson, accuse Vice President Dick Cheney, his former top aide, Lewis Scooter Libby, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove and 10 unnamed John Does of conspiring to destroy their careers. The suit claims they did this after Joe Wilson wrote an op-ed piece questioning President Bush's case for the Iraq war.

PLAME WILSON: I would much rather be continuing my career as a public servant than be a plaintiff in a lawsuit.

TODD: Representatives for Cheney and Libby won't comment on the lawsuit. A spokesman for Rove says: "The allegations are absolutely and utterly without merit."

Legal experts say the White House will fight hard not to get Cheney and the others deposed, out of concern sensitive information would get out. And, they say, the Wilsons have other hurdles.

JONATHAN TURLEY, CONSTITUTIONAL ATTORNEY, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY: Public officials come with a number of immunities and privileges that apply to their official conduct. You can lose those if you engage in unlawful conduct or you act with malicious intent, but it's a tough thing to prove.

TODD (on camera): Tough to prove, tough to win damages, even if they do prove a conspiracy, according to our experts.

As for other legal matters involving these defendants, the Wilsons' attorneys say the prosecutor's decision not to indict Karl Rove played no part in this. And they say they don't want to interfere in the criminal case against Scooter Libby.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well, Valeria Plame and her husband, Joe Wilson, admit they are fighting an uphill legal battle.

How does their legal case look?

I'm joined by our legal experts, Avery Friedman and Richard Herman.

Good to see both of you gentlemen.

RICHARD HERMAN, NEW YORK CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hi.

How are you, Fredericka?

WHITFIELD: I'm doing pretty good.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Good afternoon, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, well, Richard, let me begin with you.

Valeria Plame and Joe Wilson are saying they are under no illusions this is going to be a tough battle.

How tough a battle?

HERMAN: Well, Fred, it's politics as usual in Washington here. This battle is going to -- I think it's an unwinnable battle, to be honest with you.

They must prove intentional conduct, an intentional conspiracy by the defendants that they have alleged in this case.

This...

WHITFIELD: Intent to reveal her identity...

HERMAN: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Intent to destroy Plame's career, put her life and her family's life in jeopardy, all in retaliation for her husband being outspoken about the weapons and Iraq.

That's in their suit?

HERMAN: Absolutely. And the thing is this. The burden of proof is much different in the civil case than a criminal case. But there's been a special prosecutor engaged investigating this case and he's found absolutely no intentional conduct here that would warrant any violation of law. So...

WHITFIELD: All right, Avery, you are already vigorously disapproving of Richard's comments.

Why?

FRIEDMAN: Well, because he's wrong. And let me explain why.

HERMAN: OK...

FRIEDMAN: This has nothing to do with the criminal proceeding. Whether Patrick Fitzgerald indicted other people or not has nothing to do with the principled issue of whether or not American citizens, under the first amendment, have the right not to be retaliated against by their government. And it doesn't matter if it's the highest level of government or some local government official.

This is a principled case. And you know what? The discovery in this case obviously is yet to be done. And we have no idea. But it's an uphill fight, but there is a shot that the Wilsons are going to be successful in this.

WHITFIELD: But, Avery, further complicating this matter is this potential immunity that, say, the vice president might be under?

FRIEDMAN: Well, Brian Todd's report identified that issue of immunity. Immunity always exists in first amendment litigation. What we learned in "Clinton v. Jones" -- remember, Bill Clinton tried to avoid being deposed in the sexual harassment case. It failed.

So immunity may or may not ultimately be a resolution to this. But I think there's a burden placed on the defendants to show that.

WHITFIELD: Oh, interesting...

HERMAN: But I think that immunity...

WHITFIELD: Richard?

HERMAN: Fred, I think the immunity issue is going to derail this litigation...

FRIEDMAN: No.

HERMAN: ... and it should be noted, it should be noted that Miss. Plame was not fired from her job. She didn't lose her job. She intentionally resigned in January...

FRIEDMAN: That's not the issue.

WHITFIELD: Well, she wasn't able...

HERMAN: ... of this year.

FRIEDMAN: That's not the issue.

WHITFIELD: But she's alleging she wasn't able to continue doing her job...

FRIEDMAN: Right.

WHITFIELD: ... because she was outed.

FRIEDMAN: Exactly.

HERMAN: No. She was working. She was working for the last three years, even though she was outed.

WHITFIELD: But not as an operative.

HERMAN: She did not lose her employment.

FRIEDMAN: That has nothing to do with the case.

WHITFIELD: OK.

FRIEDMAN: Nothing to do with the case.

HERMAN: It goes to damages...

WHITFIELD: Something...

HERMAN: Avery, it goes to damages.

FRIEDMAN: Well...

WHITFIELD: Something tells me, gentlemen, we are going to be talking about this again.

FRIEDMAN: Oh, we've got a long way to go, Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: We've got a long way to go.

HERMAN: Exactly.

WHITFIELD: But I appreciate your insight this weekend.

We'll talk again.

Avery Friedman, Richard Herman, thanks so much.

FRIEDMAN: A busy day today, Fred.

HERMAN: Take care.

WHITFIELD: It is, indeed.

And more on our coverage of the crisis in the Middle East.

We've been reporting to you there are some 25,000 Americans who are stranded in Lebanon, unable to get out. Well, coming up, we're going to talk to an American in that very situation, when we come right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well, welcome back to our continuing coverage of the crisis in the Middle East.

Among the 25,000 Americans stuck in Lebanon because of the ongoing strikes there is Father Andre Mhanna.

He's of the St. Louis Cathedral in Missouri.

He actually happened to be in Beirut because he was expecting to be a commencement speaker at the Notre Dame University campus there in Lebanon.

Well, now, he's in a quandary, just like many other Americans, trying to figure out how long he's going to be stuck in Lebanon and what's going to happen in the time that he's there.

Father Mhanna, thanks for being with us.

Where are you and do you feel like you're safe where you are?

REV. ANDRE MHANNA, ST. RAYMOND'S CATHEDRAL, ST. LOUIS: Well, good evening, everybody.

Good evening, CNN.

We are definitely safe as individuals where we are in our area. We are in Beirut, overlooking the bay of the Mediterranean Sea and looking at the peninsula of Beirut, which goes like around seven kilometers in the ocean. We look at it from a very short distance, like you're looking at New York or something like this.

WHITFIELD: So were you there in the Beirut area when all of this started between Hezbollah and Israel four days ago?

MHANNA: We -- we actually landed around, I would say, 12 hours before the actual attack took place in South Lebanon. And we were mentioning from the airplane how clean and how beautiful that the country is being rebuilt. The weather was so awesome, so beautiful. We overlooked the entire Beirut city. We saw the streets being rebuilt and the great buildings, tall spaces. Everything was so beautiful.

We mentioned it. We came to the hotel. We slept. At 6:00 in the morning, boom. It was like a whole different world.

WHITFIELD: Are you scared?

MHANNA: Are we scared?

No. We are concerned. We aren't scared because there is a dark destiny that entails the destiny of three or four-and-a-half million people and over 25,000 Americans in Lebanon. We're just scared of what's going to happen because we know what's happening now is not local, it's not a little war that's in Iraq or something.

(AUDIO GAP)

WHITFIELD: This is a regional conflict? MHANNA: And I don't know if people realize this. It's a regional conflict.

WHITFIELD: OK.

Father Andre Mhanna, sorry. Our phone transmission is coming in and out there.

But thanks for joining us from Beirut, Lebanon, among many Americans who are there in Lebanon and stuck, unable to get out.

Father Andre Mhanna is of the St. Raymond's Cathedral in St. Louis, Missouri but he was visiting Beirut.

Let's check in now with Anand Naidoo for an update now on what is transpiring in terms of how many of these Americans might be able to get out of Lebanon.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Fredericka.

Well, the focus is on the American citizens who live there in Lebanon, seeing that this crisis has escalated in the -- well, it's escalated hour by hour over the past 12 hours or so. But now we've just heard from the American -- the U.S. State Department in Washington that the State Department will not be -- or, rather, the Pentagon, the Defense Department, will not begin to evacuate American citizens for several days. The Department of Defense says that it has to get equipment into the area, it has to get personnel into the area.

Of course, the other difficulty they face is that they cannot land -- their planes cannot land and take off in Beirut because the airport was bombed by the Israelis.

So, there was talk earlier that there would be some kind of an air bridge which would move American citizens out of Lebanon to Cyprus, which is off the Lebanese coast in the Mediterranean there.

But, you know, that, they say, will not happen for some time now.

But they are, again, asking people who want to contact their loved ones to use these telephone numbers. Let me give you these numbers. If you are outside the United States, area code 202-501-4444 or, if you are in the country, in the United States, you can get information toll-free by calling 1-888-407-4747 -- Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: Anand, thanks so much for that update.

Important information.

You'll want to keep it right here for up to date details on this breaking story.

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