Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Gaza Violence: Israel Promises Cease-Fire; Ebola Outbreak.; Obama Hosts African Leaders; Toledo Tap Water Undrinkable; MH17 Shot Down; More Bodies Recovered; Earthquake Devastates Southern China

Aired August 04, 2014 - 04:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now: Israel promising to cease- fire in most of Gaza for this morning, at least, unless Hamas fires first. This possible pause in the violence promised just one day after another U.N. school in Gaza is hit. We are live in Gaza and Jerusalem with what's happening this morning.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN ANCHOR: Ebola outbreak. The virus rapidly spreading across Africa expected to soon go global. This, as one American gets treatment here in the United States with another soon to join him. Can anything be done to stop this outbreak? We are live.

Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. I'm Deborah Feyerick, in for Christine Romans.

BERMAN: I'm John Berman. Great to see you this morning. Thirty minutes past the hour.

We do want to welcome all our viewers in the United States and around the world. And we begin with the international outrage being directed at Israel this morning after Sunday's deadly bombing of a U.N. shelter in Gaza left 10 people dead. The State Department, the U.S. State Department called the attack disgraceful. The United Nations going even a step further, describing it as a moral outrage and criminal act.

Israel this morning announced it is opening a seven-hour humanitarian window for a cease-fire. This started one hour ago.

John Vause begins our coverage live from Gaza this morning. John, first off, what is the status of the fighting this morning. Has it been quiet as we are a few minutes now into this partial cease-fire?

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, so far, so good. What we are hearing from the IDF at least is that -- the Israeli Defense Forces is that Hamas, since the humanitarian window went into effect, has not fired any rockets from Gaza into Israel. There is still Israeli operations ongoing, especially in the south. But Israel said that would continue, that is not part of this humanitarian window. There has been a report that maybe, maybe there was an Israeli strike 20 minutes into this window. We don't know. We know that there was some kind of an explosion and a strike here in Gaza City which left about 30 people wounded. We are still checking that.

But for the most part, it does seem to be relatively quiet here right now. And that will allow aid to come across the border. They tried to do it yesterday, but because of the fighting, those trucks turned back. So, hopefully, today, in the next couple hours, they will bring temporary shelters, the blankets, the food, the water, diesel. All these things are very much in short supply, John.

BERMAN: I'm sure it's welcome for the people of Gaza after all this conflict. And, John, it comes amid this really unusual condemnation for Israel's actions over the last several days in this U.N. facility that was hit in Rafah.

VAUSE: Yes. And what we are hearing from around the world and especially from the United States, really slamming the Israelis over what appears to have been another school in the firing line. This one down in Rafah.

But what we're also hearing now is that there is another investigation which is being carried out by the U.N. This is into a hit on another U.N.-run school which was also being used as a shelter. It was in a Jabaliya refugee camp on Wednesday. The U.N. did a preliminary investigation and looked at shrapnel from the scene. And what they say is that that school was hit by at least 10 rounds of artillery, which is not a precision weapon. It is fairly indiscriminate, and that left at least 20 Palestinians dead.

The Israelis, at the time have said their troops were in the area, Hamas militants were at the vicinity of that U.N. school. Those militants opened fire and Israeli's responded to that. So, these findings coming out from the United Nations that the school last week was hit by ten rounds of artillery combined with what happened in Rafah yesterday outside the school leaving nine dead, the pressure really is starting to mount on Israel right now.

BERMAN: John Vause for us in Gaza this morning, thanks so much. As the quiet, more or less being maintained right now.

FEYERICK: Right now, Israel is 90 minutes into a conditional cease- fire, as you heard John Vause mentioned. It appears to be reshuffling its ground troops in Gaza, pulling them back to the border. Palestinians have been told they can return north.

But is Israel moving closer to ending the fighting and perhaps starting peace talks. If so, will it be with Hamas?

Saima Mohsin live from Jerusalem this morning. And what in terms of Israel saying it is going to begin wrapping up its ground war there, what are you hearing?

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Deborah.

Well, I've just spoken to Mark Regev, one of the spokesmen for the Israeli government. And he was saying to me that this is not a drawdown. This is not a withdrawal. The operation is still very much active and as we heard from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend, he said we will advance with full power.

So, this is far from over yet. On Sunday, as well, one of the representatives of the IDF told CNN that he saw no end in site to this operation. What is happening on the ground as far as the troops are concerned is that they are being redeployed, they are moved to different areas. Once they carried out their work on various tunnels that Hamas built, they moved to other areas.

Yes, some of the troops have been taken out that have been in for quite some time. But then others are being redeployed, some going in. So, in terms of numbers, we are not clear in terms of how many are in the Gaza strip and operating there.

And I must add as well, as far as the cease-fire is concerned, it's pretty much a selective cease-fire, because those troops that are in Gaza Strip and operating wherever they were pre-10:00 a.m. this morning just in the past hour when the cease-fire started, they will continue to operate as far as the Israeli statement is concerned. This was a unilaterally announced cease-fire. They said, our troops wherever they are operating already, will continue to operate and the cease-fire does not apply to Rafah where we have seen so much terrible fighting and death and destruction, including that U.N. school as well. So, there is still some operational activity going on despite this announced humanitarian cease-fire -- Deborah.

FEYERICK: So, it's not a drawdown. It's not a withdrawal. And, in fact, both sides are arguing that this is all about the right of self- defense.

Is anyone talking to each other? Are there any back door negotiations? Is anything happening anywhere?

MOHSIN: Well, of course they are not willing, on record, to tell us that they are talking. But what we do know, during all these conflicts, is that there are backchannel negotiations. There are people, the intermediaries, that try to reach out to both sides, try to get them to the table, mainly countries like Jordan, Qatar, of course, Egypt as well, which was supposed to host the talks over the weekend in Cairo. And, of course, that didn't take place. The cease- fire was broken down just an hour and a half into the 72-hour cease- fire on Friday.

So, these talks have broken down. We are not seeing a sign they are willing to come back to the table to talk.

And, of course, all the while, international condemnation and pressure growing. We have seen the United States coming out with its most strongly worded statement, yet. As you said coming to us here, saying that it was appalled by the disgraceful attack on that U.N. shelter, which housed 3,000 people, a lot of condemnation.

It also said that, look, we understand Israel's right to self-defend, but what we do not say is that any suspicion of militant activity justifies targeting innocent civilians in such huge numbers. So, what I suspect is this kind of international condemnation has put pressure on Israel and perhaps the other side that we are not hearing just yet. They need to talk and they need to bring an end to this conflict.

Back to you.

FEYERICK: No question. The world is -- no question. The world clearly is watching all of this very, very closely.

Saima Mohsin, thank you so much for joining us.

BERMAN: Thirty-eight minutes after the hour.

A second American infected with Ebola is expected to be flown to the United States tomorrow. Officials in Liberia confirmed that Nancy Writebol will depart with a medical evacuation team. She is said to be holding her own and in good spirits.

Her colleague is receiving treatment at Atlanta's Emory Hospital. His condition is improving. Doctors in Emory insist there was no choice but to bring these stricken patients back to the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. JACK KEARSE, EMORY UNIVERSITY: Most of the medical care consists of supportive care and our sense is based on speaking to providers in that part of the world that, given our training, given our knowledge, given our unit, we can supply that supportive care much better than can be supplied in their current environment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Isa Soares is tracking the latest developments for us live from London.

Isa, you know, one of the patients here in the United States already. Another one on the way.

ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, John. Good morning.

We know specialized air ambulance with an isolation unit already departed the U.S. to go and pick up Nancy Writebol from Liberia. She's the second U.S. citizen infected with the Ebola virus. Both Nancy and Dr. Kent were infected in Liberia. Nancy will be joining Dr. Kent at Emory University Hospital.

We saw Dr. Kent arriving -- Brantly arriving over the weekend. He was transported by an ambulance. We were told from the doctors at the hospital that he was the first one to walk on his own accord into Emory University Hospital. Doctors also told CNN that he's conversing, he's getting up and he's talking. And he's all showing good signs of recovery.

Now, we also know that his wife visited him for a period of 45 minutes or so, and they spoke via glass. Of course, they can't have physical contact. His wife told CNN that he is in great spirits and he is so grateful.

Doctors at the Centers for Disease Control basically said, you know, this is showing good signs for recovery. And we've also learned, John, that he has received what they are calling an experimental serum before leaving Liberia. So, all these very encouraging signs and both the doctors there believing really -- cautiously optimistic, the words they use, that they can make a good recovery -- John.

BERMAN: This is unprecedented for both patients. Obviously, good news they are making progress at all.

Isa Soares, tracking this for us from London -- thanks so much.

BERMAN: And happening right now is a big story in the Midwest: a tap water ban for half a million people. No end in site this morning. The water supply poisoned by a toxic algae bloom. We have new developments ahead.

FEYERICK: Plus, a deadly mudslide in California leaving hundreds of people stranded. Incredible new video to show you, right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: Well, in Toledo, they still cannot drink the water. Thousands of residents waiting in long lines, even driving to bordering states around Ohio in search of bottled water. Ohio's fourth largest city still under an advisory not the drink or even risk bathing in the water because of toxins caused by an algae bloom in Lake Erie.

We get more from Alexandra Field.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Deborah, John, good morning.

For a third day in a row, people in Toledo, Ohio, are waking up to a warning, stay away from tap water. Four hundred thousand people are now dealing with a drinking water ban after testing revealed a toxin in the water.

The toxin microsystem can cause illness including, in worse cases, liver failure. It appears to be coming from algae blooms in nearby Lake Erie, which provides the city's drinking water. The blooms are so large, they have been spotted from space.

The water ban has forced restaurants and businesses to close. It's prompted a major run on bottled water. The Red Cross and the National Guard had moved in to hand out water to those who need it. Meanwhile, samples continue to be tested for the toxin. Environmental officials have not deemed it to drink -- John, Deborah.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Toxic algae bloom --don't like the sound of that one bit.

FEYERICK: Pretty nasty. BERMAN: All right. A suspected murderer on CNN's "THE HUNT" with

John Walsh found dead after a huge manhunt. Shane Miller was suspected in the death of his wife and his two young daughters. His remains were found not far from where his truck is last spotted in California. This is the second death in as many weeks involving a suspect featured on the CNN series.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN WALSH, HOST, CNN'S "THE HUNT" (via telephone): He's been out there over a year. So, the Shasta County sheriff and the U.S. Marshals who were part of this manhunt reached out to us and said, we have identified him by dental records. It's definitely Shane Miller. The body is pretty decomposed, but had ID on it.

Again, it's just wonderful. He was the first guy I profiled on "THE HUNT." He was one of the reasons I came back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: That voice, obviously belongs to John Wash from "THE HUNT." The second one of the people he's profiled to be found dead. The remains of Shane Miller were identified by dental records.

FEYERICK: Incredible actually. The other death, a shootout in the West Village.

Well, the mother of a toddler found dead in an Oregon hotel is in police custody this morning after a weeklong search. Jessica Smith is suspected of aggravated murder. Cleaning staff at the beach resort where she was found the body of 2-year-old Isabella Smith on Friday. Her 13-year-old sister was also found severely injured. She's now in stable condition at an Oregon hospital.

BERMAN: U.S. marine held in Mexico three months scheduled to appear in a Tijuana court today. Sergeant Andrew Tahmooressi was arrested in April at the San Diego border check point for bringing weapons into Mexico. Tahmooressi says he crossed the border accidentally after taking a wrong turn. His attorney will be able to question the arresting officers at today's hearing.

FEYERICK: And the superintendent of the Air Force Academy is calling on the U.S. inspector general to investigate the school's athletic department. The request comes after a report in the "Colorado Springs Gazette" detailing drug use, sexual assault and cheating. The acts allegedly took place between 2010 and 2013 and reportedly led to the dismissal of four football players, three men's basketball players, one woman basketball player and at least nine other cadets.

BERMAN: In Southern California, heavy rain and mudslides shut down the San Bernardino town of Forest Falls. Flash floods carrying heavy debris cutting off roads to the area. There's been at least one person killed so far, and as many as 500 children in a church camp are trapped right now. Rescue teams are bringing in bulldozers in attempt to reach them by tonight.

FEYERICK: It's going to be frightening.

Well, a state of emergency in Northern California, thousands of firefighters battling 14 large wildfires. Most of them sparked by lightning strikes, 117,000 acres have been scorched with eight homes destroyed, hundreds more threatened. Officials are forced to evacuate patients from a long-term facility in a town of Bernie, about 200 miles north of Sacramento.

BERMAN: Tropical storm Bertha strengthening in the Atlantic. It may become the second hurricane of the 2014 season in the next day or so. It is not expected to make land fall. Moved past the Bahamas Sunday and is now curving to the north and northeast. It could brush the Atlantic coast of Canada as a post-tropical cyclone much later in the week.

FEYERICK: It is the season. Tropical storms among us.

Well, happening now, a rush to find remains of those onboard Malaysian Airlines Flight 17. Investigators finding more bodies as the war between Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels rages all around them. We are live with the latest on the recovery, coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: Well, the remains of more victims from the attack on Flight 17 now making the long journey home. This is weeks after this plane was shot down. Investigators at the scene in eastern Ukraine shipping body parts to the city of Kharkiv where forensic experts are preparing them to be flown back to their loved ones.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PIETER-JAAP AALBERSBERG, HEAD OF DUTCH RECOVERY MISSION IN UKRAINE: So, at the moment, we are searching the area for human remains and personal belongings.

The whole area, we have five selected and prioritized spots where we expect to find most of it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: Well, it is a slow, heroic effort as fierce fighting between pro-Russian rebels and Ukraine are around the team of international investigators.

Kellie Morgan is live from Kiev this morning.

And, Kellie, we know that this debris stretches over essentially a six-mile stretch. Is there any indication that this is a new area that they are searching?

KELLIE MORGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Deborah.

No, this area, we know, has been certainly looked at and assessed before. Most of the areas are going through with a fine-toothed comb. We know this morning, sources close to the investigation tell us that the convoy this morning was making its way to the crash scene but was temporarily stopped because of shelling in the region. That really just indicates and shows us the extremely dangerous and volatile situation environment in which the team of international experts are operating.

This was always going to be a very difficult task for them anyway. They are looking at a crash scene which is now 19 days old. They are working in temperatures which are in the high 80s in Ukraine. We know that scene has been contaminated and tampered with.

In fact, the Dutch led investigators only late last week were able to collect the DNA from some 25 victims which had been held at the Donetsk morgue. So, they are working, really in extremely challenging environment, battles aside. This was going to be a challenge. The priority is to find remains. They didn't find remains at the site yesterday.

And at this stage, it's unclear if they can get to the crash site to do the investigations, because as I say, they have been stopped this morning because of shelling in the area.

FEYERICK: My goodness.

All right. Thank you so much, Kellie Morgan, there in Kiev with the latest on MH17. Thank you.

BERMAN: Some other news we are following this morning, hundreds dead, thousands injured when an earthquake rocks China. We have dramatic new video -- wow -- right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FEYERICK: Devastation in southern China, at least 381 people killed by a powerful earthquake Sunday in Yunnan Province. More than 1,800 people injured. Officials are now looking frantically for survivors in the rubble of 12,000 homes that is simply collapsed. Rain and thunderstorms complicating efforts to bring in tents, water and food for survivors.

BERMAN: Iraq's largest dam and a key oil field now in control of Sunni militants. They also seized three more towns over the weekend. This is in heavy fighting with Kurdish forces. By taking over the Mosul dam, Sunni fighters now have the ability to flood major cities or maybe withhold water from major cities. This is in their bid to topple the currently Shiite-led government in Baghdad.

EARLY START continues right now.

(MUSIC)