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Live From...
Israeli Ground Troops Target Hezbollah Strongholds; Family Trapped in Lebanon Returns to America; 150,000 Missouri Residents Remain Powerless
Aired July 25, 2006 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, it was a Hezbollah stronghold, but not anymore. Here's the latest on day 14 of the crisis in the Middle East.
Israeli forces took control of a second village in southern Lebanon. They seized Bint Jbeil, after a day of fierce fighting that left up to 30 Hezbollah militants dead.
President Bush says no to a short-term cease-fire. At the White House today, the president said the root causes of the Mideast conflict have to be addressed.
And bombing in Beirut -- new Israeli airstrikes today caused these thundering explosions in the southern suburbs. It's the first strike in this area in nearly two days.
Well, a burst of activity on the Israeli-Lebanese border -- Israeli ground troops are seeing action once again, as they target Hezbollah strongholds.
Our John Roberts joins us live near the border -- border. He's right in the middle of the action -- John.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Near the border, and with the battery again, Kyra -- we're re-hooking back up with the artillery battery that we spent so much time with yesterday.
As the sun goes down, the howitzers lights up again, continuing to rain those shells onto positions in southern Lebanon. They were, for the last couple of days, firing in support of the ground troops that were trying to take Bint Jbeil.
And, as we reported earlier today, the commander of the Galilee Division of the Israeli Defense Forces...
(SOUND OF SHELL FIRING)
ROBERTS: And there's another -- another outgoing shell there.
The commander over the commander of the Galilee Division of the Israeli Defense Forces, General Gal Hirsch, said that they now have that city in complete control. He described the -- the two days of fighting as very intense, and sometimes house-to-house. He said that Hezbollah had infiltrated itself very well into the community. It also has the support of the community. He suggested that Hezbollah, perhaps, had been using citizens, civilians as hostages, though, of course, we have nothing to back up that claim, since we haven't been able to get over the Lebanese border, either into Bint Jbeil, or even into Maroun al-Ras, which was the town that they took three days ago, to be able to verify the claims of the IDF.
But what they hope from taking Bint Jbeil is that they may be able to degrade Hezbollah's command-and-control infrastructure, and stop some of those Katyusha rockets that have been coming into northern Israel since this conflict began, back on the 12th of June.
There is nothing to suggest, at this point, that they have completely taken away that capability. Earlier today, some 55 rockets landed on various targets around Haifa, Nahariya, Karmiel, Kiryat Shmona, all of the typical targets.
So, it -- as -- as much progress as the Israel Defense Force claims to make, they still, apparently, have a long way to go -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, John Roberts, we will keep checking in. Appreciate it so much.
Well, explosions shake the ground. Smoke fills the air. And you're seeing Beirut's southern suburbs under attack once again.
CNN's Beirut bureau chief, Brent Sadler, joins us now from the Lebanese capital.
Brent, you and I had a chance to talk earlier. And you bring up a very interesting point about 1982, and sort of seeing history repeating itself in many ways.
BRENT SADLER, CNN BEIRUT BUREAU CHIEF: Yes. Partly, that's true, Kyra.
In 1982, there was an all-out invasion. It was called Peace for Galilee. And it was an attempt under then Defense Minister Ariel Sharon, who led the military operations, a sweep from Israel's northern border, to create what was then called a buffer zone.
Buffer zone is the same terminology we're hearing that Israel wants to create today, a buffer zone that Lebanese military analysts believe could take the Israelis as far as 20 miles north -- south into Israel territory, up to a river known as the Litani.
Now, the Israeli Defense Forces, Kyra, know this territory extraordinarily well, not only from that all-out invasion in 1982, but, also, the more than two decades of Israeli occupation of south Lebanon, and control of that country through Lebanese Christian allies called the South Lebanon Army for -- throughout that decade.
The difference between now and then is, is that Hezbollah, particularly since the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon some six years ago, has had all that time to mass rockets, those Katyushas that are now pouring into Israel, and, also, for Hezbollah to prepare the ground to be able to make, as they would say, tactical withdrawals, as Israel moves forward -- Israel not moving in a wide, sweeping operation here, as we saw back in '82, but methodically taking villager -- village by village, slowly moving forward.
And that's a big difference from last time, in 1982. But, essentially, it's the same idea of the operation. Then, it was to stop the PLO attacking northern Israel. This time, it's stop -- to stop Hezbollah doing the same -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Our Brent Sandler right there in Beirut -- Brent, thanks.
Another scorching day in Saint Louis -- and thousands of people are without air-conditioning back here in the U.S. Authorities blame recent storms and their aftermath for five deaths. The latest is a utility worker who was electrocuted, while another was burned while working to restore power today.
One hundred and fifty thousand customers still don't have electricity six days after storms knocked out power. Half-a-million customers were without power at the peak of blackout. U.S. Senator Jim Talent wants an investigation of that power grid, while activist Al Sharpton is calling on the electric company to roll back its rates.
Let's get straight to the newsroom now -- Betty Nguyen working details on another story -- Betty.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're still watching that fire burning in California, in the Benedict Canyon area.
Take a look at these pictures. They're really quite remarkable -- lots of smoke billowing into the air. Maybe, if they can zoom in, we can see the homes that are near this fire. Now, it's not known, at this point, exactly how big this fire is.
But, by the pictures that we have been looking at, there actually was a firefighter standing in the backyard of one of the homes, just shooting water down to the fire. You can -- if you look really closely to the right-hand side, you can see it, firefighters spraying water down into the fire.
Now, it appears that this Benedict Canyon area is an area where a lot of upscale homes are, in fact. Just to give you an idea of the -- some of the stars who live in this area, Roseanne Barr, Belinda Carlisle, Ann-Margret, Eddie Murphy, just to name a few. This is near Beverly Hills.
And what we understand, at this point, is that this fire is burning uphill. And it doesn't appear to be wind-driven at this point, according to firefighters there. And we don't know exactly the cause of it just yet.
So, let's bring in CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras to talk to us about the weather conditions there, and if they are hampering efforts -- Jacqui. JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, Betty, they're hampering efforts in the fact that the temperatures are still so very, very warm, and the ongoing drought in this region -- temperatures there estimated right now into the 90s at this time.
The winds overall, though, are relatively calm. That's because high pressure is control -- in control of that area. But that high- pressure system has those downward-moving winds. And that helps to heat up the air and keep those temperatures very, very warm. So, the winds aren't very strong, but the heat is certainly on.
And take a look at some of the temperatures across the area right now. It feels like 100 degrees in Fresno -- Los Angeles -- this is at LAX, by the way -- at 81 degrees. But, downtown, you're going to be getting into the 90s here this afternoon, 102 in Las Vegas right now. And look at Phoenix, at 98 degrees.
This heat is spreading across the nation's midsection. Again, we're not looking at the record heat in the nation's midsection, like you are into the Southwest. But, still, this is very, very uncomfortable.
You have got 93 here into the Kansas city area. And Saint Louis, where we were just hearing about some of those power outages, 93 degrees is your temperature.
I want to show you just how many people are being affected by these power outages here. And I found this map. This is from Ameren, the electric company -- well, company there. And, here, you can see, 143,000 people are still without power. The bright red areas, up towards Florissant, into Spanish Lake, towards Bridgeton, and into Granite City.
The north side of town, into the northern suburbs, that is where we're seeing to state some of the highest concentration of people without power. The company says that they are continuing to make some improvements there.
Want to show you a tower-cam now coming out of the Saint Louis area. There, you can see, a -- very clear conditions right now, so you don't get in that cloud cover. A lot of times, this time of the year, you will get a little bit of cloudiness into the region, and that will kind of help your temperatures level off a little bit into the afternoon.
But we're 93 right now. Probably going to be topping out about 95 degrees.
Now, one of the most difficult things that people in the West and in the nation's midsection have been dealing with, with this heat, is not only the high temperatures during the day, but look at some of these conditions from the overnight. We have had record overnight lows into the Southwest, into the 70s and 80s. So, there's really been no time of day, Betty, unfortunately, that these people have had to cool off whatsoever. And look at your high temperatures tomorrow. They're down a little bit, compared to today, but, still, certainly staying at those uncomfortable levels -- back to you.
NGUYEN: Uncomfortable, indeed, for firefighters in Los Angeles right now.
I want to give you some more live pictures from the Benedict Canyon area, where that fire is still burning as we speak -- smoke billowing into the air. This is an active scene. Some 21 fire companies are trying to put out this fire, which is really coming pretty close to some homes in the area, the area being the Benedict Canyon residential area, where a lot of upscale homes are located.
Of course, Kyra, we have been watching as helicopters -- you see this one here -- they have been drive -- not driving -- but flying over this fire, and dropping fire retardant, several times, trying to put out as much as they can. So, this is an active scene.
And we will stay on top of it and bring you the latest, just as soon as it comes in.
PHILLIPS: All right, thanks, Betty.
Well, back to our coverage of the Middle East crisis coming up next -- Shia dominated and backers of Hezbollah, what role are Iran and Syria playing in this crisis? And can they help resolve it?
LIVE FROM takes up the issue -- straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, it's been an up-and-down day on Wall Street.
Susan Lisovicz, live from the New York Stock Exchange, with the latest on the market.
Hey, Susan.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra.
And, you know, it has turned positive in the last hour of trading. So, that's a very good sign -- investors weighing some mixed economic and corporate profit reports. Today is one of the most active days on the earnings calendar, with five of the 30 Dow companies reporting.
Certainly, one piece of good news is a big drop in oil prices. Crude fell $1.30, to close at $73.75 per barrel -- traders taking some profits after the recent run-up of prices, certainly within striking distance of their all-time high, just about $77 per barrel.
You know, the continued violence in the Middle East has led to lots of stock markets, including U.S. stock market, selling off. You would think that markets in that part of the world would be taking a beating. But that is not the case, for the most part. In Israel, the Tel Aviv 100 index is actually up since the fighting began a couple weeks ago, as are the benchmark indices in the United Arab Emirates.
Here on Wall Street, stocks are modestly higher -- the Dow industrials right now up 25 points, or a quarter of a percent -- the Nasdaq composite, meanwhile, up six points, or just about a third of a percent -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, we talk a lot about how influential social networking sites, like MySpace, have become. But now they're expanding to a different demographic. Tell us about that.
LISOVICZ: Yes. This is interesting, Kyra.
The founder of Monster.com is spending $10 million to launch a new social networking site. But he's not targeting teens, like MySpace does, or even college students, like Facebook.com.
Instead, Eons.com will go after their parents and grandparents. The site aims to become the center of gravity for the 78 million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964. Eons.com will allow members to create pages similar to MySpace, with profiles and pictures of themselves.
But the site is playing down the social networking aspect, instead, emphasizing inspirational articles and tools, such as a personalized longevity calculator. It's due to launch at the end of this month.
And I will definitely provide you with more details...
(LAUGHTER)
LISOVICZ: ... about it when it does.
And that's the latest from Wall Street. I will be back at the end of the hour with a full roundup of the trading day -- more after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, the Middle East conflict is not just about Israel vs. Hezbollah, or one people against another. It's much more complicated, its effect more widespread, rippling through alliances and governments across the Arab world.
CNN's Candy Crowley explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The enemy of my enemy is my friend, except when the balance of power tips. The balance began tipping when Saddam's Sunni government fell, and, with it, the counterbalance to Shia-dominated Iran. Iran now has strengthening ties with Iraq's Shia faction and a partnership with Syria -- now this. Iranian-backed Hezbollah takes on Israel. In Sunni Arab states, like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, the enemy of their enemy is a big problem.
JUAN COLE, PROFESSOR OF HISTORY, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN: Hezbollah is emerging as a -- as a major protagonist in the battle with Israel. So, from a Saudi or Jordanian point of view, this looks like, the Shiites are coming, the Iranians are coming, and they are afraid that -- that these developments could end up toppling their thrones.
CROWLEY: So far, these largely pro-Western Arab states have criticized, even condemned, Hezbollah for touching off this conflict by kidnapping Israeli soldiers.
But, on the Arab streets, support for Hezbollah grows. Its leader is seen as a hero for taking on Israel. The governments are beginning to look weak.
PETER SINGER, NATIONAL SECURITY FELLOW IN FOREIGN POLICY STUDIES, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: But they're in power to represent the populace against the big, bad Israelis. And, actually, what this crisis is showing is that they have no actual influence. They have got no capacity to do what they say, that, at most, they're bystanders right now.
CROWLEY: With each day, there are pictures of dead and injured Lebanese children and civilians and bombed-out buildings being aired across the Middle East. The gap widens between the streets and the palaces.
COLE: The elites and their publics are at odds on this issue. And the -- the elites probably cannot delay very much longer.
CROWLEY: It is, said one expert, a rock and a hard place for major players Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. All now look to the U.S. to broker them out of the uncomfortable spot between two enemies.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Well, both Iran and Syria have promised to cooperate to end the current conflict.
Can they be counted on to do just that?
Ken Pollack, director of research at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, and senior fellow for foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution, Ken, great to see you. You have written a number of books, of course, on Iran, and also Iraq.
But let me ask you, can Iran be trusted? I mean, this whole conversation, since this all started, was how Iran and Syria are funneling weapons in support to Hezbollah and Hamas. So, can they even be part of -- of a negotiation?
KEN POLLACK, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH, SABAN CENTER FOR MIDDLE EAST POLICY: Well, I will put it this way.
I think that, in the case of Iran, it would behoove all of the parties in the region to keep the Iranians out of it. They just introduce too many problems into it. There's obviously the nuclear question, which is not yet resolved. And we don't want to muddy the waters of the nuclear question, which we have finally have an international consensus on, by introducing this Lebanese crisis.
In addition, as you and others are suggesting, Iran's interest in the conflict in Lebanon is very different from other people's. Because they're Hezbollah's main backer, they are the one group who really wants to see Hezbollah win, and probably win at all costs.
Syria, of course, is in a different category. Syria lives in that area. Syria is, quite honestly, torn over its current involvement. There are factions within Syria that seem to indicate that they might be willing to actually play a constructive role.
There are others, more hard-line, more kind of old guard elements, that don't seem to want to play that role. That suggests that maybe Syria could be weaned away from Iran, might be play -- able to play a positive role.
PHILLIPS: So, let me ask you, back to Iran, for -- for a question with regard to the nuclear capabilities and the nuclear threat.
A number of advisers, former advisers of the Lebanese government, said, hey, this might not be such a bad thing, because, if you dismantle Hezbollah, that is going to help dismantle Iran and its nuclear capabilities.
Do you agree with that?
POLLACK: Well, I certainly think that dismantling Hezbollah -- disarming Hezbollah is probably the right way to put it -- is going to be a problem for the Iranians. It's going to limit Iranian involvement in the region.
And, as I'm suggesting, because Iran's interests are so different from everyone else's, they typically play a troublesome role in the Levant, in the area of Lebanon and Israel. And I think it is certainly the case that the more that Iran can be removed as a potential troublemaker in the Levant, the easier it is going to be for other countries to deal with them on the specific question of their nuclear issue, without having to worry about Iran making mischief in other parts of the world.
PHILLIPS: What are the dangers here, as Iran and Syria, if -- if, indeed, these voices are brought to the table, I guess, in a more diplomatic way, if that's even possible? What are the dangers in that, for U.S., for Israel, for even Lebanon?
POLLACK: Well, I think, in the case of the Iranians, there are two particular dangers for the U.S.
The first danger is that Hezbollah winds up winning. And we need to recognize that, for Hezbollah, they simply need to win a political victory. They just have to be able to keep trading rounds with the Israelis, and have someone standing at the end. That will be an enormous victory for Hezbollah.
And, if that's the case, it's also an enormous victory for Iran, probably going to embolden them and make them less willing to compromise on their nuclear program.
The other danger for the United States where Iran is concerned is the real danger that, maybe, in the end, it's Iran that plays the peacemaker. You know, the Iranians, I think, were taken by surprise by this latest con -- crisis, at least in the extent of the Israeli reaction.
But their initial response was a smart one. It was to send their foreign minister to Damascus, and to say: Hey, we can be the ones who broker a deal.
The longer that this fighting goes on, and the longer that other people can't find a way to solve it, the more attractive it is going to be to have the Iranians stop -- step in and say: Hey, we're the one country in the world that can deliver Hezbollah.
And the problem is that the price that the Iranians are probably going to want for silencing Hezbollah is probably going to be a free pass on their nuclear program.
PHILLIPS: Something that you have written a lot about -- and I said that up front -- is -- is Iran.
What are you, personally and professionally, keeping your eye on? What is of interest to you? What are you tracking on a daily basis?
POLLACK: Well, I think the big question in my mind is, where are the Iranians right now?
They -- as I said, they made a very smart response to the initial crisis. But they have mostly been quiet. Now, typically, with the Iranians, when they're quiet on something as important as this, it means that they don't yet know what they want to do. It means that there is a debate is going on inside Tehran. That's to be expected.
There are probably hard-line elements in Tehran who are saying that: This is our chance. We need to back Hezbollah to the hilt and try to give them a victory.
There are probably more pragmatic elements in Tehran who are arguing that, you know: We need to downplay things. We don't want to be caught as the country that is the backer of Hezbollah, which everyone else in the world regards as -- as, unquestionably, a problem in this situation.
And I think the -- the big question in my mind is, who wins that debate? My expectation is, we will see the answer in a few days, and whoever wins it, that is going to be a major change, a major development in this ongoing story.
PHILLIPS: Ken Pollack, always appreciate your time.
POLLACK: Thank you, Kyra. Great to see you.
PHILLIPS: Well, imagine the desperation. You're home safe and sound, but your spouse and children are trapped in a war zone. What do you do?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY SHEIKALI, FAMILY TRAPPED IN LEBANON: I had to roll the dice. It was a big gamble. And -- and, I will -- I will tell you, I mean, every time I think of this, I just tremble, because it was a 50/50 that they would make it or not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, a husband and father's daring gamble to get his family out of Lebanon pays off. We are going to talk with him straight ahead on LIVE FROM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, Israel's prime minister says that his country has the stamina for a long struggle. On day 14 of the Middle East conflict, here's what we know right now.
Massive explosions shook Beirut's southern suburbs today, Israel's first strike in the area in almost two days. The Israel army said it hit 10 buildings housing Hezbollah. Earlier, it was Haifa that was under the gun again. More Hezbollah rockets fell on the Israeli port city, including one that scored a direct hit on an apartment building.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice continued her diplomatic mission in the region. She met with the Israeli prime minister and the Palestinian president, calling for an urgent and enduring peace. Well, Rice is now in another -- or in is Rome, rather, for another round of meetings on the crisis tomorrow.
Trapped -- last week, we told you the story of the Sheikalis -- and now a mom and her four sons inside southern Lebanon, desperate to find a way to Beirut and out the country.
It took some time, but the Sheikali family has been reunited.
I am joined now by Fadia, Andy, and their four sons.
I can't believe you're all here. This is amazing.
Andy, this has got to be a dream come true for you.
A. SHEIKALI: Oh, yes. PHILLIPS: You were extremely concerned about your family. And you were telling me, I mean, it was 50/50, right? Either they...
ANDY SHEIKALI: That's right.
PHILLIPS: ... were going to get out, or you had just made one final phone call with your family.
ANDY SHEIKALI: That's absolutely true.
And -- and that -- that -- that's why I just can't believe they're home. And, I mean, when I went to the airport to meet them, I just wanted to touch them. You know, everybody said, they're coming out. And, you know -- and -- and just wanted to touch them to make sure they are home.
And -- and I'm so grateful and I'm so happy they're home.
PHILLIPS: And, Fadia, you had to be -- I mean, here, you had four boys. Obviously, they were taking care of you. And they were remaining very strong.
But, as a mom, you had to make this decision: I have got to trust these taxi drivers, get in, and pray to God I make it to the -- to the airport.
FADIA SHEIKALI, WAS STRANDED IN LEBANON: Yes. It was a very hard decision. It wasn't easy at all. You know, because you're taking four kids with you. Either you make it or you don't make it back. You know, I made the last phone call to Andy and I told him, we're leaving now, that was it, good-bye. And we left and thank God, we got there safe. And we were very scared in the car. You know, and the taxi driver, they were wonderful, they were talked to us all the way through.
PHILLIPS: Just to try and comfort you?
F. SHEIKALI: Yes, exactly. And I was just praying to God.
PHILLIPS: Now boys, I've got to ask all of you now. No doubt you are never going to forget this experience and when you go back to school, everybody is probably going to want to hear about that. Let's start with you, Adam, and what do you remember your mom saying to you? I mean, what was the most memorable moment for you, as you were trying to stay strong and support your family?
ADAM SHEIKALI, WAS STRANDED IN LEBANON: While we were in the car driving, my mom kept on telling us -- telling me to calm down, that everything was going to be OK, to close my eyes and pray to God that we were going to be safe.
PHILLIPS: And did you have faith in that? Did you know everything was going to be OK?
ADAM SHEIKALI: Yes. I had a lot of faith. I knew that God was going to protect us during that moment. PHILLIPS: Wow. Well I'll tell you what, you have raised some pretty incredible boys. Sam, what about you? What's going to be the most memorable moment for you?
SAM SHEIKALI, WAS STRANDED IN LEBANON: Well just thinking that this could be it, this could me when I'm never going to see my dad, my friends -- never going to see them again. But I had to stay strong for my little brother and my mom.
PHILLIPS: Jad, what about you?
JAD SHEIKALI, WAS STRANDED IN LEBANON: The same thing with Sam. I was just afraid that we wouldn't get to go home again and I was just trying to act like I wasn't afraid for my little brother so Adam wouldn't be afraid.
PHILLIPS: But deep in side, were you thinking, oh, boy, I'm crossing my fingers on this one?
J. SHEIKALI: Yes.
PHILLIPS: Did any of you feel at any time, Mousa maybe that you had to comfort your mom and say, OK, I'm the oldest one in the group here, I have to be strong not only for my brothers, but for my mom.
MOUSA SHEIKALI, WAS STRANDED IN LEBANON: Yes, I felt that everyday because I know she was scared. Even I was scared really but I can't let it show because then they'll think something's going to happen, even though something could have. We still have to kind of pretend that nothing was going to happen.
PHILLIPS: What did you tell your boys, Andy, when you were finally were able to talk to them on the phone, you know, that final phone call before they got in the taxi?
ANDY SHEIKALI, FAMILY WAS STRANDED IN LEBANON: Well the truth is, I couldn't talk to them. I talked to Fadia and just said hug the boys and kiss them for me. I couldn't bear talking to them. I mean, enough talking to Fadia and I was just in a state of fear and I was just desperate. I didn't know what. That could have been, as I said, really the last time we talked and so I just told her to please hug them and kiss them for me and tell them I love them and we took our chances and thank god again, as I said, the prayers of a lot of people did it for us.
PHILLIPS: What did you say to those two taxi drivers when they got you to your destination safely? I know you had to pay each one of them $1,600. And it was a huge risk. What did you say to them?
F. SHEIKALI: You know, all the way, I was telling -- when they were talking to them, I said, please, just watch where you're going, don't talk to me, I'm fine, you know, because I don't want to like -- I want the boys to feel comfortable and feel like we're going to get safe.
And then when we get to a safe zone, you know, I told them thank you so much for risking your life to save ours. They were risking their lives too at the same time. You know, it was just a wonderful feeling because these taxi drivers, they have families, too. I told them, you know, why are you doing this? They said, you know, just because we want to bring you out. We want you to get home safe and sometimes people need the money, too.
PHILLIPS: So let me ask the boys. I want to ask each one of you this, and Adam, why don't I start with you? Do you think of anything differently now, with regard to your life, or maybe how lucky you are, you know, with the family you have or your parents, is there something you appreciate more now that this happened?
ADAM SHEIKALI: Well I really that appreciated God protected us through this big moment.
PHILLIPS: Mousa, what about you?
M. SHEIKALI: Well I always appreciate where I live, how much better it is than over there. Because they have to go through that, you know, numerous times that they've been through it and I couldn't go through that again. I'm happy for where I am.
PHILLIPS: Jad?
J. SHEIKALI: Well like over there, we had no water or electricity that kept going out. And over here we never even thought about that. So we took that all that for granted. But now, we know it could all just go away.
PHILLIPS: Sam?
S. SHEIKALI: Well, it changed my perspective on life. I'm a lot more religious now. And like -- as they're saying, I'm glad to be living here, knowing I have a lot more water and food and chances are, that's not going to go away.
PHILLIPS: Mom and dad, you must be pretty proud of these boys.
ANDY SHEIKALI: Absolutely, we are.
PHILLIPS: Do you think you'll go back as a family?
ANDY SHEIKALI: Well, that's only debating. Fadia, when she came out, she says this is it for me. And I mean, for us, because we do have Lebanese, I mean we are Lebanese.
PHILLIPS: That's your culture.
ANDY SHEIKALI: It's our culture, we have so much there, and we left even with this now we're happy we're here. But we left a lot of families behind and our thoughts and prayers are with our families behind. So I'm sure we'll go back.
PHILLIPS: Fadia?
F. SHEIKALI: It's going to be awhile for me. You know, maybe two or three, four years, God knows when. But the only thing I'm hoping for, like, no one will get hurt back home because I have all my family still there, a lot of my friends. My boys made a lot of friends back home, you know, and I hope and pray for God that same way he protect us, to protect everybody back home.
PHILLIPS: Well it's amazing to talk to you, Andy, and now be with the whole family after hearing about this. The Sheikali family, thank you, guys so much for being with us, I appreciate it.
ANDY SHEIKALI: Well thank you Kyra, thank you so much for having us.
PHILLIPS: It's our pleasure.
F. SHEIKALI: Thank you so much.
PHILLIPS: All right. Well Israel isn't only up against Hezbollah fighters in Southern Lebanon, it's also facing very difficult terrain, CNN military analyst Major Don Shepperd took a closer look on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Let's look at the situation in Southern Lebanon. We've heard a lot about the operations there and let's talk about what's going on and why it's going on.
We've heard the names of three cities. The first of the cities we've heard about is the city of Avivim in Northern Israel. It's where south of Lebanon, the Israeli faces are massing before they move into Southern Lebanon. We've also heard about Maroun al-Ras and Bint Jbeil. Bint Jbeil has been referred to as the Hezbollah capital in Southern Lebanon and Maroun al-Ras gives us a real good idea of what the Israel forces are dealing with.
Let's zoom in on the terrain surrounding Maroun al-Ras. It's very difficult terrain. It's high ground, looking into southern Israel. Lots of places to hide. The Hezbollah are amassing in these towns. They have to be attacked and rooted out of the town. The towns are full of hiding places for weapons. They're full of tunnels. They're full of caves. Each one of these places could be booby- trapped. So you have to kill the fighters that are in the town. You have to then go in and clear the town and once you leave, they may come back.
It is a very, very difficult thing to do. And this is just an example of one of the many towns the Israelis or an international stabilization force will have to clear and be responsible for if they're going to clear this area. Very, very difficult to do.
Let's take a look at another thing we've heard a lot about. The Litani River and look at why the Israeli forces are interested in pushing Hezbollah beyond the Litani River. The Litani River runs on the east side of the Lebanon mountains and then cuts due west and empties into the ocean. The Litani is important because it's about 20 miles, about 35 kilometers into Lebanon. And basically, if you can push Hezbollah forces north of the Litani, you can keep them out of Katyusha rocket range of most of the cities in northern Israel. That's why it's important. It won't keep the Hezbollah from firing longer-range missiles, but it will solve the Katyusha problem. So it's very, very, important.
In the Litani, the next thing that becomes really important is the Bekaa Valley. He who controls the Bekaa Valley controls Eastern Lebanon and Eastern Lebanon is the conduit for arms, manmade materials that come from Syria through Eastern Lebanon, over the mountains and into Beirut or south into Southern Lebanon. So if you control the Bekaa, you control the movement of manmade material.
That's why the Israelis have been bombing bridges along the main Damascus of Beirut road. The problem for the Israelis if they go in with troops on the ground, the Bekaa is right next to Syria. If Israel troops go next to Syria, the Syrians are likely to mobilize. If the Syrians mobilize, the Israelis will likely strike them. A very, very dangerous situation.
From the Bekaa to understand the situation further, we move to the disputed territories in the Golan Heights. Now the disputed territories are shown in orange on this map. These territories were occupied by the Israelis during the '67 war as well as the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights was the scene of major, major tank battles, 500 tanks engaged in battles at one time. It was a major listening post.
You had to own the high ground so you could listen and see. That's no longer done that way anymore, you do it that from satellites and from drones and that type of thing. So the Golan becomes a bargaining tool for the Israelis. They can give it back and they will give it back probably in exchange for Syrian assurance that they will disarm Hezbollah and no longer support them. But there are big, big stakes on both sides. The Syrians want their territory back. Israelis will likely give it back over time if there can be assurances of their national security. Big things at stake here and that's Lebanon as we see it right now.
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PHILLIPS: Well, it's a tough job and yet they do it in record time everyday and under fire. Coming up, a lesson from the instructors at the FBI's bomb school. More LIVE FROM straight ahead.
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GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Obviously, the violence in Baghdad is still terrible and, therefore, there needs to be more troops. In other words, the commander said, what more can we do how best to address the conditions on the ground?
And they have recommended, as a result of working with the prime minister, based upon his recommendation, that we increase the number of U.S. troops in Baghdad alongside of Iraqi troops, and we're going to do that.
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PHILLIPS: The president talking about his meeting with Iraq's prime minister here in the states. Meanwhile, overseas, as you know, Condoleezza Rice on the trip in the Middle East, trying to deal with that situation.
The White House says that national security adviser Stephen Hadley is expected to hold a 3:30 Eastern time briefing right here at the White House. So when he steps up to the podium, we'll take that live. Hopefully, he'll be taking questions about the Middle East situation and Secretary Rice's trip.
Well, President Bush met with Iraq's prime minister today, as we said. You just heard from the president. And on the agenda was a new plan to beef up security in Baghdad. In the meantime, the FBI is developing programs to help the U.S. stay one step ahead of the terrorists.
Justice correspondent Kelli Arena reports from the field.
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KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Iraq and Afghanistan, lethal truck bombs are a constant threat. When they explode, U.S. troops are forced to become crime scene investigators, a role few are prepared for. The FBI is trying to change that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's going to be a record-breaker, guys. This may be the biggest crime scene we've ever had.
ARENA: At the FBI's large vehicle bomb school, bomb technician Kevin Miles oversees the construction of a 4,000-pound truck bomb. Another 400 pounds is loaded into this smaller vehicle to recreate a real-life scenario experienced by U.S. troops in Baghdad, in which a suicide bomber attacks those who've responded to the first blast.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two-four, we're going fire in the hole, shot one.
Fire in the hole, shot one!
Push it.
ARENA: The second explosion also goes off without a hitch.
The next day, students are brought in to try to figure out what happened.
(on camera): Debris from these explosions scattered almost 4,000 feet, creating a 374-acre crime scene. With only 45 students investigating the bombings, instructors here think that maybe they gave them a little bit more than they could handle.
(voice-over): An advanced team does a preliminary search for evidence, and all are keenly aware of the clock.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In Afghanistan and Iraq, if you get an hour, you're very lucky. I've seen it where you're going in maybe 15, 20 minutes on the ground due to the area may not be secure.
ARENA: This Navy lieutenant commander expects to be redeployed soon, and for security reasons, does not want his name used.
Teams photograph and flag pieces of potential evidence and swab a vehicle caught in the crossfire for explosive residue.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any indicator of any type of initiation device, you know?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nothing. Nothing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nothing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nothing here. OK. They might have it up over on that end then, hopefully.
ARENA: They eventually find most of what they're looking for, including batteries and a telephone keypad they determine was used to trigger the second bomb.
Robert Pursley, a 27-year law enforcement veteran says the training is invaluable, in part because he expects terrorism to make its way back to U.S. soil.
LT. ROBERT PURSLEY, SANTA CRUZ CO. SHERIFF'S DEPT.: We've had our incidents here already, that's an indicator and that's why we're doing this training.
ARENA: Kevin Miles says more than 400 people signed up to take the course. To keep up with the enemy, he's constantly modifying his classes, but not his message.
KEVIN MILES, FMR. BOMB TECHNICIAN: The evidence that they're looking for is out there somewhere, and if they know where to look for it, they'll find it.
ARENA: Kelli Arena, Fallon, Nevada.
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PHILLIPS: And you can start your mornings off right with Soledad O'Brien and Miles O'Brien on "AMERICAN MORNING," 6:00 a.m. Eastern time.
Families split apart, fleeing for their lives, abandoning their positions. It's a heavy price on safe haven. We'll go back to the Middle East next in Tyre, Lebanon. Plus, our Wolf Blitzer on the ground in Jerusalem. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PHILLIPS: The city of Tyre, Lebanon, has taken a real pounding over the past two weeks. Our Karl Penhaul saw Hezbollah rockets launch from that area today, followed by a swift response from Israel. He filed this report for us.
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KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hezbollah militia fighters and the Israeli military have been trading fire across the Israeli border throughout much of the day Tuesday.
The day began shortly before midday, with a barrage of Hezbollah rockets flying to the sky and off towards Israel. Shortly after that, an Israel unmanned drone appeared to get a fix on that firing position, and then called in airstrikes from the Israel artillery positions just on the other side of the border, about ten miles away, and also from Israel war planes hat moved in and dropped 500-pound bombs on that area.
Now as the fighting continues, so does the humanitarian crisis worsen. The city mayor has told me today that around 30,000 citizens remain in Tyre, and they're in desperate need of 120 tons of aid.
Now, yesterday, there was a cruiseliner that pulled in and took off about 230 nationals from mostly European countries. That ship brought in seven tons of humanitarian aid, but the mayor says that is woefully short of what is needed.
In addition to those European citizens, the U.S. embassy has told that there's an estimated 500 American citizens still in this area of Southern Lebanon, and the U.S. embassy is looking for ways to evacuate those personnel, as well.
Karl Penhaul, CNN, Tyre, Southern Lebanon.
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PHILLIPS: America's secretary of state declares it's time for a new Middle East. One who knows that region quite well is CNN's Wolf Blitzer. He's monitoring events in Jerusalem for "THE SITUATION ROOM."
Hey, Wolf.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Kyra, thanks very much.
Coming up on a special edition of "THE SITUATION ROOM," we're live in Jerusalem. And it's happening now. Bombs over Beirut. Israeli forces continuing their assault from the air and on the ground. We're going to take you to the front lines, on the border and inside the heart of the Lebanese capital.
Also, I'll speak to with former Israeli prime minister and Nobel Peace Prize Shimon Peres and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat as well. Plus, send in the military to make the peace. The secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, laying out her vision for trying to solve this crisis.
Also, war zone 911. Hospitals under pressure and under fire. We're going to take you inside the emergency rooms on both sides.
And unloading relief. Marines right now on a humanitarian mission in the Middle East.
All that, Kyra, coming up right at the top of the hour.
PHILLIPS: Now, Wolf, I know you're going to be headed north out into the field. What are you working on?
BLITZER: Well, we're trying to get the inside story on what's going on, how long this military operation is going to take, how much time the Israelis think they really needed. We're trying to speak to top Israel political and military leaders and get that sense of where this next phase is going.
Clearly, the Israelis, in the first two weeks, have achieved some of their goals. But clearly, they have not achieved everything yet. Is this going to take weeks? Is it going to take days? How much time do they have? They also know the clock is ticking in terms of a diplomatic effort to come up with some sort of cease-fire. So we'll see where this situation unfolds.
PHILLIPS: All right, we'll be watching. Wolf Blitzer, live from Jerusalem. Thanks so much, Wolf.
The closing bell and live from Wall Street, straight ahead.
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PHILLIPS: All right, straight to the news room. Betty Nguyen working more on those California wildfires -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Still watching it, Kyra, and the flames still billowing into the air.
Take a look at these live pictures that are coming into CNN. You can still see the smoke. This is from KCAL, our affiliate in Los Angeles. This fire is burning in the Benedict Canyon area, which is near Beverly Hills, California. It's also near many upscale homes in that area. As you can see, it's a rugged terrain. It's been very difficult for firefighters to get up in there, so they've been battling a lot of this by air and dropping fire retardant down to the flames below. And looks like firefighters have managed to get on the ground there beat back some of the flames that were headed to some nearby homes.
Again, this is an upscale area of Benedict Canyon, which is very near Beverly Hills. And it looks like they've been able to get some of this fire under control. But nonetheless, flames are still burning and we will on top of it, continuing to follow it for you, Kyra. As soon as we get more developments, we'll bring it to you.
PHILLIPS: All right, thanks, Betty.
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