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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Gaza Violence: Israel Announces Cease-Fire; Ebola Epidemic; Obama Hosts African Leaders; Toledo Tap Water Undrinkable

Aired August 04, 2014 - 05:00   ET

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening this morning: the very latest on the partial, temporary, conditional cease-fire in Gaza. Is it holding? Moments ago, refugee camp reportedly hit by an airstrike. Reports of 15 people injured. Is there any end in site to the violence there?

We have live team coverage from the ground in Gaza and Jerusalem, just ahead.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN ANCHOR: Ebola outbreak out of control in Western Africa. Health officials warning that the deadly virus could soon go global. This, as one infected American recovers in a Georgia hospital, a second patient soon to join him.

We are live with the latest developments.

Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Deborah Feyerick, in for Christine Romans.

BERMAN: And I'm John Berman. It's Monday, august 4, 5:00 a.m. in the East.

Up for -- up first, I should say, Israeli forces accused of carrying out on airstrike in a Gaza City refugee camp. That happened just about an hour ago. There is international outrage directed at Israel after Sunday's deadly bombing of a U.N. shelter in Gaza. It left ten people dead.

The State Department called the attack disgraceful. The United Nations going even further, describing it as a moral outrage and a criminal act.

Now, Israel had announced a seven-hour humanitarian cease-fire. It started just about two hours ago.

We want to go now live to the ground in Gaza. John Vause begins our coverage.

John, there are reports, though, of another bombing this morning.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, John.

What we are being told by Palestinian officials is that there was a house in the Shati refugee camp, a beach camp here, the Palestinians are saying it was hit by an Israeli airstrike. They are saying at least 30 people have been wounded. They are not confirming any death toll at this stage. They say they are searching beneath the rubble and debris of the house, if anybody who may have been killed or wounded.

We have tried to get comment from the IDF, Israel Defense Force, of what may or may not have happened. They stay cease-fire has not been violated and they are investigating what may or may not have happened at the Shati camp. One possibility, it could have been a Palestinian- Hamas rocket which misfired. This all happened within 20 minutes into the humanitarian window.

And just a short time ago, to our south, there was a large explosion. Keep in mind, we are in Gaza City. And down south in Rafah, which is many, many miles from here, the Israelis are continuing with their military operation. This operation seemed closer to us. It sounded like artillery.

But the Israelis said their military operations will continue in those areas where it continues to work to destroy this Hamas tunnel network. I guess, also, where they are actively operating which could also mean where they have the troops continuing to move back to the border.

So, there has been an explosion to the south and we are looking at this air strike on a house here in Gaza City, John.

BERMAN: Any rockets, so far, that you can tell shot out of Gaza by Hamas toward Israel this morning, John?

VAUSE: Yes, nothing. Nothing so far. This has been confirmed. Last night, we checked on the Israeli side as well.

The moment this humanitarian window went into effect, the rockets stopped firing. So, even though Hamas said that they are not part of the cease-fire, has nothing to do with it, they reject it, they don't trust the Israelis, they think it's an attempt to divert attention from what happened in Rafah on Sunday when nine Palestinians were killed at a U.N. school being used as a refugee center, as a shelter. It seems that at least for now, they are holding their fire.

And this is a good sign. It means that at least there can be a period of calm to allow those emergency relief supplies into Gaza, because the circumstances here are really dire right now.

BERMAN: Maybe perhaps, John, creating the conditions where things don't escalate even further. John Vause for us in Gaza, thanks so much.

FEYERICK: And right now, Israel appears to be redeploying ground troops in and around Gaza. But military officials in Jerusalem say they are not withdrawing. They are not deescalating their offensive as they continue to go after those underground tunnels.

Saima Mohsin live from Jerusalem this morning.

And the relief supplies, there was a seven-hour humanitarian cease- fire to get these relief supplies in, but at the same time, the fighting continues. So, where is the balance?

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's a difficult one depending on which side you are standing on. It's hard to differentiate where there is a cease-fire and where there isn't, really. And that's the facts. Israel has said that there is a cease-fire in place. It's a humanitarian cease-fire as John Vause has said, it's much need there.

But at the same time, it's selective in nature. That means Israeli troops, wherever they are in the Gaza Strip, will carry on operating. Whether that means detonating and decommissioning the tunnels or engaging in fighting, we're really not very clear on that. And, of course, they also said that this cease-fire does not apply to Rafah.

Now, Rafah is the place where we saw the attack on the U.N. shelter which killed at least nine people, injuring dozens of others receiving condemnation.

So, this cease-fire may be in place, it should go on for seven hours, but it is selective in nature.

And let's not forget, perhaps the people most affected are the people where the ground troops are operating -- Deborah.

FEYERICK: And it's interesting, Saima, there are supposed to be talks going on in Egypt. But interestingly enough, it appears that both Hamas and Israel are really doing what their people are asking them to do, which is continue. They've got a lot of political support on both sides, it would appear.

MOHSIN: Yes, there's a huge contrast in domestic support versus international condemnation. Hamas and I think as we have been reporting over the last few days, gaining increasing support from people within Gaza, although Hamas doesn't represent all in Gaza, a lot of people are -- my colleagues there have been reporting that they have been talking to people saying we are continually being pounded. We have seen 1,815 people killed.

That's the latest takeaway getting here in Jerusalem from those killed, 9,400 injured. There's almost a resolve as far as the Gaza Strip is concerned, that this is it now. One way or another, this should determine our fate.

On the Israeli side, they continue to say we have the right to defend ourselves and we will carry on. Benjamin Netanyahu, over the weekend saying he will plow on in full power. Another IDF spokesman telling CNN that he saw no end in site based on ground realities, this could go either way.

And we are seeing polls run by various media outlets polling people here in Israel. In fact, in one poll, they said they completely backed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they support Operation Protective Edge. They also said in answer to another question, they want to see an escalation in fighting rather than a draw down or backing down.

That's why, perhaps, we are seeing so much pressure domestically for this to continue where as that's in contrast with the international condemnation. The United States, the closest ally of Israel, coming out with that statement from the Department of State saying that it was appalled by the disgraceful shelling of that U.N. shelter which houses at least 3,000 displaced people. There are more than 200,000 displaced people right across the Gaza Strip living in U.N. shelters. Another 200,000 that are believed to be spread out trying to get to areas which are relatively safe -- Deborah.

FEYERICK: All right. Saima Mohsin in Israel, it appears that want or hope that President Mahmoud Abbas from the Palestinian Authority gets involved, whether there can be a Palestinian unity government will certainly be something everybody is watching.

All right. Thank you so much, Saima.

BERMAN: Seven minutes after the hour right now. A second American infected with Ebola expected to be flown here to the United States tomorrow. Officials in Liberia confirm that Nancy Writebol will depart with a medical evacuation team. She is said to be holding her own and in good spirits. Her colleague, Dr. Kent Brantly, is already 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: Our Isa Soares is tracking these developments for us live from London this morning.

And, Isa, really complicated and unprecedented, the scope of this effort.

ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, John. We have heard the U.S., the American citizen is going to arrive sometime on Tuesday. We heard specialized air ambulance with an isolation unit already left on Sunday, in fact, to pick up Nancy Writebol from Liberia. Nancy and Dr. Kent both infected in Liberia, both working there. Nancy was an aid worker working out there. She will join Dr. Kent at Emory University Hospital.

He was transported by an ambulance on Saturday. We saw him taking a couple initial steps into the Emory University Hospital. Doctors said it was him who took the first steps, it was his decision. They also said he's talking, he's getting up, he's making conversation. All very encouraging signs.

We've also learned that he has received what they call an experimental serum. We know very little about that serum and he received his serum before leaving Liberia. He's also spoken to his wife for a period of 45 minutes. It goes to show how well he's doing.

Obviously, they spoke via glass wall because they can't touch each other. And she said that he was in good spirits and very, very grateful. So, all very encouraging signs.

Meanwhile, though, John, you know, the scale of Ebola is growing at a faster pace they can be contained in West Africa. We have seen the numbers in Guinea drop. We've seen the numbers in Sierra Leone and Liberia increasing. The government is trying very hard to stem it.

We heard overnight that Sierra Leone, the government deployed over around 750 infantry and military personnel and medical teams. The military will be going -- to effort -- to kind of increase the operation at check point where the -- and the medical teams meanwhile are going into the small towns to try and educate people about Ebola, trying to make sure they can contain it. So, really struggling to keep -- to contain this killer virus -- John.

BERMAN: Great point, Isa, you know, that the encouraging news about these two Americans should not mask the overwhelming nature of this outbreak right now in West Africa and the efforts being made to fight it.

Our Isa Soares, tracking this for us in London this morning -- thanks so much.

FEYERICK: And you have to wonder whether in fact U.S. doctors can, perhaps, create a protocol for treating Ebola that can be transferred to West Africa. A Tennessee doctor who did treat Ebola there and patients has placed himself in quarantine inside his own home. Dr. Alan Jamison worked in the same Liberian hospital where Dr. Kent Brantly contracted Ebola. And even though he's not showing any kind of symptoms, he does plans to remain in isolation for the next three weeks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ALAN JAMISON, SELF-QUARANTINED IN TENNESSEE: The risk was becoming greater and greater. And the concern is if I were to contract the infection while I was there, I would not have the facilities available for a better level of treatment that are available in the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: And Dr. Jamison has kept himself quarantined since July 25th. He admits he came in contact with his daughter when she picked him up at the airport, but claims he's had no contact with anyone else since.

BERMAN: President Obama is getting set to welcome African leaders to Washington for a three-day summit. This is part of an airport to get big American companies to consider larger roles in Africa. The meeting does come despite the backdrop of problems in African nations, including militant gains in Nigeria, the Ebola outbreak that we've been talking about, which did force leaders of Liberia and Sierra Leone to cancel their trips here to the United States.

Twelve minutes after the hour right now.

Happening now: a tap water ban in parts of Ohio. This is a big story, folks. Toxic algae, algae bloom, poisoning the water supply for nearly half a million people. Breaking developments overnight, we'll tell you all about it, just ahead.

FEYERICK: Plus, wildfires and deadly mudslides raging in California. The state hit hard by extreme weather, including lightning and fires. Indra Petersons is checking the latest and what you need to know for the day ahead, next.

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FEYERICK: Right now, 400,000 residents of Toledo, Ohio, are waiting to hear when they can drink their tap water again. Overnight, test results are in and the ban remains in place. The trouble began on Friday when a type of algae that gives off the harmful toxin called microsystem was found in Lake Erie where the city's water supplies originates.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can't treat it from the lake. They have to find a way to treat it in the inlets. That's where the issue is coming in. How do you get it out? Because as you know, you can't boil it and you can't put too toxic of a chemical in to treat it, because then you have another problem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: Yes. And as you can imagine, stores quickly sold out of bottled water after the Friday announcement. Toledo public schools decided to cancel all athletic practices and summer meal practices at least for today.

BERMAN: Algae bloom.

A suspected murderer featured on CNN's "THE HUNT" with John Walsh found dead after a huge manhunt. Shane was suspected in the death of his wife and two young daughters. His remains were found not far from his truck. This is the second death in as many weeks involving the suspects 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: The voice of John Walsh there.

An anonymous tip led authorities to the grisly find on the banks of a river in northern California.

There is a state of emergency in northern California, as thousands of firefighters battling 14 large wildfires, most of them sparked by lightning strikes. About 117,000 acres scorched so far, with eight homes destroyed, hundreds more threatened. Officials were forced to evacuate patients from a long-term care facility in the town of Bernie. That's about 200 miles north of Sacramento.

FEYERICK: And in Southern California, heavy rain is the problem. Mudslides have shut down the San Bernardino town of Forest Falls. Flash floods have cut off roads to the area. There's been at least one person killed. As many as 500 kids at a church camp are actually trapped. Rescue teams are bringing bulldozers in an attempt to reach them at least tonight.

BERMAN: Indra Petersons has a look at today's forecast. Let's start with those mudslides, Indra.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, this is one of those things that happens typically in Southern California. No matter where it rains, we have these thunderstorms that come in the summer time, these monsoonal thunderstorms. But a lot of location where is the campgrounds are, they are below steep canyons.

So, even if it's sunny above you or rains right here or 50 miles away, all that water quickly comes down the canyon sides. And that's the reason you are talking the heavy flow that typically occurs in this region.

The good news today, yes, there's flooding, but not in that region. We're starting to see the trough that brought that moisture, lifting out of the region. But still notice, a huge portion of the southwest dealing with that threat for flooding today as that monsoonal moisture still hangs in place.

Going to the East Coast, you're going to notice another feature. I mean, look at this. We're talking about this frontal boundary that still in place here and then we have Bertha, in addition. We are talking a lot of rain in the Southeast today. Looking for a little combination. But notice, tropical storm Bertha strengthening up to 70 miles per hour, 74 miles per hour is what is going to make it a category one hurricane.

And it looks like the combination will bring the heavy rain into the Southeast, most from the frontal boundary. Keep in mind, as long as this guy hangs off the coastline, we're still going to be monitoring this. And it's expected to strengthen. We are looking for this, Bertha, to become a category one hurricane overnight tonight, off the Carolinas. The most important piece of news you need to know. It is still expected to stay offshore. It is very important staying away from the U.S. coastline. BERMAN: Keep it offshore. Well done, Indra. Appreciate it.

All right. Coming up for us, a setback for Tiger Woods. He walked off the course really, limped off the court Sunday with a back injury. The question is, will he be able to compete in the last slam? Or maybe in the Ryder Cup?

Brian Mcfayden has the latest on the "Bleacher Report", next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: The long, national nightmare is over. They are playing professional football, again. The NFL preseason got under way. The Hall of Fame game between the most important team in New York, the Buffalo Fills, also the Giants played.

FEYERICK: And Brian Mcfayden has more in this morning's "Bleacher Report" -- Brian.

BRIAN MCFAYDEN, BLEACHER REPORT: Good morning to you, guys.

It's official. Football is here. You can smell it. It may be just the preseason.

But hey, don't tell it to die hard NFL fans and especially the players on the field getting ready to light things up.

Newly inducted Hall of Famer Michael Trayhan and Jim Kelly on hand as well. He's currently in the middle of a courageous battle with cancer. Pre-season football isn't really about the final score. Giants running game looked awesome against the Bills defense. Rookie Andre Williams led the way on the ground. Giants win, 17-3.

To NASCAR in Pocono. Lap 117, Danny Hamlin gets loose in the corner and takes out half the field. But you know who he didn't crash? Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Junior gets to sweep up Pocono when he both ranked top races this year. It's Junior's first season with at least three wins since 2004.

This is trending on bleacherreport.com. Tiger Woods' return to the PGA is short lived. He had to withdraw from the Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday because of a bad back. Tiger was clearly in pain after he teed off on the ninth hole, grimacing and trying to keep it together.

This is Tiger's third tournament since having back surgery in late March. No word on the severity of the injury and if he will play in next weekend's PGA championship in Louisville.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIGER WOODS, PRO GOLFER: I felt like I was in a bunker. Just guarded and been spasming ever since.

REPORTER: Same spot?

WOODS: Just the whole lower back. So, I don't know what happened when I landed.

REPORTER: You tried to play through it and it got worse?

WOODS: Exactly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCFAYDEN: Sergio Garcia was in contention as well, but this didn't help. Garcia's tee shot on the par for a third hole goes way left, hits a woman on the hand, causing her to lose a diamond from her ring. They looked around for it for quite some time. Garcia even offering up his phone number to her to take care of it. But great news, the diamond was eventually found.

And, by the way, guys, Rory McIlroy beat Garcia by two strokes. Make it Rory -- well, he's in first place.

BERMAN: He's the number one ranked golfer in the entire world right now.

MCFAYDEN: Entire world.

BERMAN: Brian, that diamond was not small, I have to say.

MCFAYDEN: I hope it's not cubic zirconia.

FEYERICK: Yes, exactly.

BERMAN: That's a good point. No, not insignificant. I'm glad they did find it.

Great to have you with us this morning, Brian. Thanks so much.

MCFAYDEN: Thanks a lot.

FEYERICK: As always.

Well, happening now: Israel promising a cease-fire this morning. Reports are coming in, alleging an air strike against a refugee camp has taken place. Can this temporary and partial truce between the two, Israel and Hamas, hold for any amount of time? Live team coverage coming up next.

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