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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Desperate Conditions for Thousands of Refugees in Erbil; Obama Authorizing Air Strikes against ISIS; Resuming of Hostilities between Israel and Gaza; Difficult Negotiations in Cairo between Israel and Hamas; Hurricanes Pounding Hawaii; Ebola Announced by WHO to Be Public Health Emergency

Aired August 08, 2014 - 04:30   ET

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

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning. President Obama authorizing air strikes in Iraq, if necessary. Pledging to fight Islamic terrorists who are slowly taking over really much more quickly now, taking over much of this country and slaughtering anyone in their way. This morning, how the U.S. is helping victims trapped in the crossfire and what may come next. Also, the ceasefire ending between Israel and Hamas this morning. Violence erupting between those two and talks failing after that three-day cease-fire. Live team coverage on the ground from Gaza and from Cairo. And we'll talk about if there's any hope for a long lasting peace.

Also happening right now, Hurricane Iselle barreling into the Hawaiian Islands. Dangerous wind, rain and waves slamming them. And it could be much more on the way Indra Petersons is tracking this storm for us this hour. Welcome back to "EARLY START." I'm Poppy Harlow. 31 minutes past 4:00 a.m. here on the East Coast. We welcome our viewers both here and in the United States and, of course, around the world as well. We begin with this, President Obama raising the stakes in northern Iraq. In a nationally televised address last night, the president authorized the use of targeted air strikes against ISIS militants warning America "cannot turn a blind eye to the crisis unfolding in that region." Islamic extremists on a rampage now closing in on the city of Erbil. That is where U.S. military and diplomatic personnel could be in harm's way. The president, also authorizing an emergency air drop of water and food to help a large number of Kurds and other minorities trapped in the mountains by those oncoming militants.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: There is no decision that I take more seriously than the use of military force. Over the last several years, we have brought the vast majority of our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. And I have been careful to resist calls to turn time and again to our military. Because America has other tools in our arsenal than our military. We can also lead with the power of our diplomacy, our economy and our ideals. But when the lives of American citizens are at risk, we will take action. That's my responsibility as commander-in-chief. And when many thousands of innocent civilians are faced with the danger of being wiped out and we have the capacity to do something about it, we will take action.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: ISIS militants in northern Iraq have been making stunning advances in recent weeks using town after town in a bloody onslaught, even taking control of Iraq's largest dam in Mosul. All eyes on the city of Erbil right now. That is where chaos could erupt at any moment. That's where we find our Ivan Watson.

IVAN WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: These are the conditions that thousands of desperate Iraqis are going to be sleeping in tonight after they have fled the most recent offensive by ISIS militants who have succeeded in capturing a number of towns and villages, taking them away from Kurdish Peshmerga militia fighters. At this location, we see some of these families who have pulled up after arriving, packed in the back of pick-up trucks, in some cases hitchhiking, hiring taxis and in some cases, fleeing on foot. And they are showing up in some of the unfinished apartment and office buildings on the outskirts of the Kurdish city of Erbil. The conditions here, as basic as can be. They are sleeping on cement. We have seen some distribution of water, of cookies to these people. But these families have no plan in mind. They tend to come from religious minorities. They are viewed as apostates (ph) by the ISIS militants.

And these are Shiites, in other cases, they are Christians, Yazidis who feel threatened. Their lives are at risk from these Sunni Muslim hardliners who have vowed to kill people who do not come from the Sunni Muslim faith. This exodus of people is going to be an enormous burden for the authorities in the Kurdistan regional government that controls northern Iraq. Even at the same time as their militias, their Peshmerga fighters are pressed on the front lines to try to protect Kurdish territories from the ISIS militants who we are told are now equipped with armored vehicles and heavy weapons that have been captured from the Iraqi army that collapsed. The same Iraqi army that was equipped with weapons from the U.S. government. Ivan Watson, CNN, Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan.

HARLOW: Ivan, thank you. After this, thunderous explosions in Gaza again this morning. Air strikes resuming after Israel claims Hamas violated a three-day ceasefire before it ended. Hamas is denying that. Let's get straight to John Vause live from Gaza. So, John, A, what is the situation like on the ground behind you and also, secondly, Hamas is still denying that they shot any of those rockets. But another group there is taking responsibility.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. It's a little confusing right now, Poppy, as it often is. But the situation in the last hour or so, we know Israel has resumed those air strikes. That means a number of air strikes in fairly quick succession in the area of Gaza City. Local reports say at least two people have been hurt. The day is still early. There's also reports that artillery rounds have been fired from Israel into Gaza, so and also some word that they could in fact be firing from the naval ships, which are just off the coast as well. That's yet to be confirmed. We know that almost immediately after that deadline for the ceasefire expired, the rockets began firing from Gaza into Israel. Hamas is not taking credit for that. Right now, we are hearing from Islamic Jihad, another militant group here in Gaza. They are also at those peace talks or ceasefire talks, rather, in Cairo. They are claiming responsibility for a number of those rockets. And they say that they've decided to fire those rockets off because Israel violated the ceasefire by not agreeing to Palestinian demands at those talks in Cairo. The Israeli, though, say it was in fact, the ceasefire was violated about two hours before it even -- before the deadline came up because a number of rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel. This is what the Israeli government spokesperson Mark Regev had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK REGEV, SPOKESPERSON FOR PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: The Cairo talks are based on one crucial assumption. And that is unconditional ceasefire. The talks only started because there was a cessation of hostile fire. And by breaking the ceasefire, by really shedding violence, by targeting our civilians as they have done this morning, it's clear that Hamas has broken the fundamental premise for these talks in Cairo.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Now, what Hamas is saying about those rockets, which were fired before the deadline for the ceasefire? What is being broadcast to that rockets fired at Israel, Israeli reports aimed at confusing the situation. And Poppy, Islamic Jihad also saying that they had nothing to do with the early morning rocket fire before the ceasefire was set to expire.

HARLOW: Yeah, and in recent days, behind you, we had seen the streets full of people trying to go home, going to the market, and now, as you have been reporting, they are pretty deserted because the violence has begun, once again. I appreciate the update, John, thank you.

Also this just in to CNN, the Israeli delegation at the peace talks in Egypt apparently has walked out. Let's bring in Reza Sayah live from Cairo. What can you tell us?

REZA SAYAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, Poppy, unfortunately here in Cairo, all indications based on the events that we have observed, deteriorating, obviously, the fighting is escalating in Gaza. And it doesn't look like these two sides are continuing their indirect negotiations. As you mentioned, according to the Israeli government, the Israeli delegation leaving Cairo this morning 7:00 a.m. local time that was roughly four and a half hours ago. The Palestinians telling CNN that they were meeting with the Egyptians as early as 4:30 a.m. this morning, about three and a half hours before the official end of the ceasefire. But at this hour, we simply cannot confirm if these two sides are continuing to negotiate indirectly and obviously, if these two sides are not talking, there's absolutely no shot at resolving this situation. All of this taking place after these two sides failed to reach an agreement during the 72-hour ceasefire.

It's important to point out what the impasse was over. The Israelis made it clear that they wanted an unconditional ceasefire to continue. Hamas, some of the Palestinian officials said no. But they agreed to come to Cairo. They agreed to stop fighting, to have Israel at least meet one of their demands and indications are that their minimum demand was a seaport. Remember, one of the core demands is the lifting of the blockade. And it looks like during these 72 hours, they told the Israelis, at least give us a seaport. Israel obviously rejected. They continue to say they want their security concerns addressed. And as long as this happens, Poppy, as long as this conflict continues, I think there's going to be growing pressure on the international community to step in and get these two sides to come to an agreement. Because at this point, it looks like Egypt has failed to do that.

HARLOW: Yeah, but there's no saying if the international community can be successful at that. I mean how many times have the U.S. and others tried to do that and still, we are back here at the same point. Reza, thanks for the update from Cairo, appreciate it.

And now, this is also happening as we speak. The Hawaiian Islands taking an absolute beating from Hurricane Iselle. Heavy rain falling since yesterday afternoon already triggering flooding. The storm's autoban packing 70-mile-an-hour winds overnight. Iselle is a category one storm right now. And it's getting closer and closer to land. Let's get the latest from Indra Petersons. What surprised me is how rare this is and this is a really one-two punch.

INDRA PETERSONS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's so unique. You are talking about Dot made landfall in 1959 and Iniki in 1992. So, in about 50 years, we have only seen two hurricanes to make landfall in the Hawaiian Islands, and now, take a look, we have two hurricanes sitting out there right now. In a just a few hours away from Iselle making landfall. You can see the difference, I do want to show you both real quickly, because this one is really quickly weakening here. A lot of sheer and cooler waters are starting to tear apart. Meanwhile, look at the well-defined eye of Julio, now category three hurricane. Let's start with Iselle, because it's only a few hours away from coming on shore. You can already see some of these outer bands now bringing some of the rain to the Big Island. But the center of circulation still offshore, making its way, again, bringing landfall here in the next few hours. That's what we are monitoring carefully. Because effects are going to be huge out there as we really see it make its way through the entire area of the Hawaiian Islands as we go even through the afternoon today making its way offshore in through tomorrow.

The biggest concern here other than, of course, some of the stronger winds, is going to be the heavy rain. Up to a foot of rain or 12 inches of rain can be expected. The biggest concern is going to be the mountainous regions. Four to seven inches of rain, that's what we'll see in (INAUDIBLE) and Hawaii. But really, a main focus in the Maui and the Big Island as that's where we are going to be seeing some of these heavier amounts. What we are going to be watching carefully, of course, is really where you are going to see that center of circulation. You are talking about that northeast edge, we are talking about some of those stronger winds. All that rain is coming down in that section. So, right around Hilo, right over those mountainous regions, that's where you are really going to see the effects and start to see some of the threat for those mudslides. So, that's the biggest concern as we go through these next few hours. And of course, the system makes its way out by Saturday. By Sunday, there comes Julio. And of course, it's a little hard to tell the exact path right now. Moving just north of the area, but the facts are still likely ...

HARLOW: Yeah, no respite for them. All right, thanks for the update. We'll get back to you shortly, Indra. We are also going to, of course, continue to follow the breaking news here on CNN, the very latest on Iraq, the war between Israel and Hamas continuing, also that big hurricane coming and really making landfall. First, though, the United States is issuing a new warning about Ebola as it spreads further across Africa. We are live with the latest, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: A warning to Americans from the U.S. State Department not to travel to Liberia, if it is not absolutely essential. And starting tomorrow, family members of the U.S. embassy staff within Monrovia will be evacuated. The spread of the deadly Ebola virus showing no sign of slowing down. 932 people have died from it with over 1700 confirmed or suspected cases in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Guinea alone. Patients in West Africa finding out they will not have access to the medicine being used to treat two Americans that are infected with Ebola, who are being treated in an Atlanta hospital right now. There's apparently simply not enough of it. The crisis is so severe now, that the World Health Organization is declaring it an international public health emergency.

Isa Soares is tracking the latest developments from London. I know, Isa, they were meeting for two days. This decision from the WHO just coming down in the last hour or so. What does it mean, though, for the people on the ground suffering?

ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Poppy, yes. There were meeting wrapped up about 15 minutes or so ago. And not only did it say it's a public, international public health emergency, as you mentioned, but it also said that it constitutes an extraordinary event. And really what they are trying to do is raise awareness, calling on the international community to step and help those countries most affected, as well as giving guidance to the rest of the world. As to the measures that they should take. Now, the WHO Chief Margaret Chan said the consequences of further international spread are "particularly serious given this is the largest," I'm quoting her, "most severe and longest case seen in the four decade history of tracking the disease." So, called on the international community for solidarity. And basically said, the countries in West Africa that really have seen the outbreak do not have the means, Poppy, to manage this outbreak, the health systems are particularly fragile and then went on to really outline a series of measures that these countries should take, in particularly declaring, first of all, a national emergency. These countries should activate their national disaster management, they should ensure treatment. Situated as closely as possible to the areas of transmission and ensure the health care workers receive adequate security measures for the safety and protection. But interestingly enough, the most important thing, the biggest challenge was education. There's a huge fear factor and people are running away. Poppy?

HARLOW: Yeah, that is such a big issue, not going for the treatment they need early enough on so that they can hopefully be cured. And you have got over 900 deaths already as a result. Isa, I appreciate the update. Thank you so much. We'll get back to you later in the show.

Also, of course, this big breaking news, President Obama authorizing air strikes in Iraq, if necessary. Islamic militants taking over the country town by town. We are going to show you just how dire the situation on the ground there has become.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: President Obama insisting America cannot turn a blind eye to the violence erupting in northern Iraq telling the nation he has authorized targeted air strikes against ISIS extremists, if necessary, for taking over town after town in a bloody uprising. Right now, thousands of Kurds and other ethnic minorities along with U.S. military and diplomatic personnel are threatened by rampaging Islamic militants in the city of Erbil.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Earlier this week, when Iraqi in the area cried to the world there is no one coming to help. Well, today, America is coming to help. We are also consulting with other countries and the United Nations who have called for action to address this humanitarian crisis.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: President Obama has also authorized the humanitarian air drop of food and water for thousands of Kurds fleeing from the violence. And those who are pinned now in the mountains, trapped by the oncoming extremists. ISIS extremists in northern Iraq have made stunning advances in recent weeks, they've taken over town after town in a ruthless rampage against religious minorities forcing tens of thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes or face certain death. Our chief national security correspondent Jim Sciutto takes a closer look.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, the president responding to both an immediate threat from ISIS, but also a broader threat. Let's talk about the immediate threat first. Right here, just to the east of Mosul, you have the Yazidi minority. They are surrounded by ISIS, really under threat of a massacre now, and the president has dropped humanitarian supplies just to keep them from starving, from running out of water on this mountain and giving time for the next step, which is opening up a humanitarian corridor so they can escape to the Kurdish controlled areas here in the north.

Trouble is, those Kurdish controlled areas also coming under threat from ISIS and in Irbil, the capital of the Kurdish controlled areas in the north you have several hundred American consulate workers as well as military advisers who have been advising the Iraqi military. The president is saying, he will connect air strikes to protect U.S. personnel there as well as here in Baghdad, if ISIS advances. Those are the immediate threats. Let's talk about the broader threat for a moment. Because this is where ISIS territory was just in the middle of June. Now, in the last six weeks, here is how much it has grown. And as it grows, it is threatening more parts of the country, and their strength is growing. I speak to you as officials frequently about this, they say the Iraqi military is in no position right now to push ISIS back from these positions. In fact, ISIS is expanding. That is the next challenge for the administration, it's a threat not only to the region, it's also a threat to the American homeland, because U.S. intelligence officials believe that ISIS fighters are being trained and prepped for the possibility of caring out attacks in the U.S. when they return home. Poppy.

HARLOW: Wow. It is stunning to see the advancement that has been made in just the past few weeks. Jim Sciutto, thanks so much, we appreciate it. Of course, we are going to continue to follow all of the breaking news from Iraq all morning long. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm Karen on East Coast. Breaking news this morning. President Obama authorizing air strikes in Iraq as necessary. The United States pledging to help stop genocide with humanitarian aid and force, it seems necessary.