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CNN Live Today

Bush Speaks in Florida; Lebanon Mourns Its Dead; Heaviest War Activity in Bint Jbeil

Aired July 31, 2006 - 10:00   ET

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

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We'll go ahead and get started with a busy couple hours ahead. Let's start with what we know right now.
New Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon. They come less than halfway through Israel's 48-hour pledge of restraint.

Israel's military says it regrets striking a Lebanese army vehicle. At least several people are reported wounded.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has wrapped up her trip to the region and is flying home. She say as comprehensive settlement could be reached by the end of the week.

We expect to hear from President Bush in about 10 minutes. He's in Miami, Florida, today. He will comment on the Middle East situation. When the president begins to speak, you will see that live here on CNN.

Let's go live now to the region where the action has been happening and begin our coverage with Karl Penhaul. He is just back from an area of Lebanon where some of the heaviest fighting has been taking place. The village of Bint Jbeil. And he's with me now from Tyre to tell us what he was able to get in and see.

Hello.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, that village of Bint Jbeil is just a mile and a half from the border with Israel. And I can tell you, it has been absolutely hammered by the fighting. It was the scene of some of the heaviest combat. And according to the Israeli military there, the fighting was door-to-door, hand-to-hand and window-to-window.

That said, we did have the chance to talk to one Hezbollah fighter who didn't appear on camera because he said he didn't have authorization from his commanding officer. But he denies that there were any gun battles in the streets of Bint Jbeil, although he does say about a hundred Hezbollah fighters were stationed in the mountains around Bint Jbeil.

That said, once again, it's a civilian population, a civilian infrastructure that has taken the brunt of this. It was very difficult to find a single house in Bint Jbeil that hadn't suffered some kind of impact from shelling and from bombing. And in the ruins, in the rubble, in blocks of cement, we could find very easily chunks of shrapnel that had come from bombs. We found artillery shells lying in the street. Some of them still unexploded. And we found the shells from 30 millimeter rounds fired from helicopter canon it would appear.

Daryn.

KAGAN: And are the people there, do they blame more Israel or do they blame Hezbollah for infiltrating and being in that area and making them targets?

PENHAUL: It's very difficult to find any people there, Daryn. We did find some, probably about 30 people, the last stragglers who were taking advantage now of this 48-hour cessation of hostilities to try and find some way out. A U.N. vehicle did go in. We followed the U.N. vehicle in. And also the Lebanese Red Cross is there pulling out what evacuees it can find.

But tragic scenes there. Amongst the rubble we did find picking their way, trying to pick their way to safety, two American passport holders. They just held up their hands and pulled out their passports from plastic bags, their only possessions they have left, and said, hey, we have nine sons. They're living in Michigan. Where can we go? Where will we be safe?

Daryn.

KAGAN: Karl Penhaul live from Bint Jbeil. Thank you for that.

Now one of the most tragedy scenes in southern Lebanon is in a town called Qana. A town that is reliving a horror that happened 10 years ago as well. Our Brent Sadler, our Beirut bureau chief, joins us with some perspective on that hit.

Brent, hello.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Behind me, the collapsed building which more than 60 Lebanese, it's understood, were killed. Many of them children. Throughout this morning I've heard the drone of Israeli pilotless reconnaissance planes over head. I can hear the buzz of one now. And I've also head a lot of Israeli air activity but actually no air strikes in this region in line with Israel's declaration that there would be a 48-hour strike. Although there was at least one instance of an Israeli plane attacking a vehicle in which there was a Lebanese army, not Hezbollah, senior commander.

Now on the ground here, we've quite clearly seen the devastation in the building. This was an area sympathetic to Hezbollah. We saw Lebanese rescue workers pulling lifeless body after lifeless body out of that building as a result of the strike. Israel said it was a place where Katyusha rockets were fired at Israel by Hezbollah fighters. Not so say people who survived. A handful of people who survived this carnage. Israel has launched an investigation. Others on the ground here, like Amnesty International, have been compiling their own report. Now why has Qana grabbed so much of the world's attention? Quite simply, Daryn, because history has repeated itself very grimly here. Ten years ago on, April 18, 1996, during an Israeli offensive again to wipe out Hezbollah, it was called Grapes of Wrath back then, a United Nations compound was hit by Israeli artillery fire. More than 100 Lebanese civilians sheltering with (INAUDIBLE) peacekeepers were killed by those Israeli shells.

There was an investigation then. It turned out to be inconclusive. That's why so much attention, certainly Lebanon touched off raw nerves and violent demonstrations yesterday. But again, 10 years ago, today we've seen the international community react with that Security Council meeting very quickly after the detonation that toppled that building just behind me here in Qana.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, and, Brent, in terms of perspective, you really have it. Because 10 years ago you covered that raid as well.

SADLER: Yes, indeed, I did. And I was looking at some of my old reports and certainly the track lines are very similar to what they are today. An offensive started by Israel to wipe out Hezbollah. Hezbollah firing rockets (INAUDIBLE) the shell and artillery fire. The south badly damaged.

But I have to tell you, on the vision of what I've seen today around Qana, the destruction of today is far, far greater than it was 10 years ago.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Brent Sadler live from southern Lebanon. Thank you for that.

Once again, back here in the states, standing by, President Bush expected to make comments. He's in Miami, Florida, this morning and is expected to talk about the Middle East. You'll see that live here on CNN.

While we wait for the president to begin, let's talk about Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She's heading home to Washington this morning. She says she has a new plan for peace and our John King has details on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Fresh from one diplomatic achievement, Secretary of State Rice set her sights on the bigger, much more difficult goal -- a full cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: To make a cease-fire more than words alone, the international community must be prepared to support and sustain it. And I call on my international partners to do so this week in New York. KING: Secretary Rice immediately headed home to oversee negotiations at the United Nations, voicing confidence there is a consensus on approach that includes a permanent cease-fire, deployment of the Lebanese army in areas now controlled by Hezbollah, an international embargo against rearming Hezbollah, and creation of a new international force to police any cease-fire.

RICE: And Lebanon should, assisted as appropriate by the international community, disarm unauthorized armed groups.

KING: Secretary Rice made no mention of concessions by Israel. But U.S. and Israeli sources tell CNN she was assured this weekend Israel is ready to discuss prisoner exchanges and returning disputed land to Lebanon as long as the soldiers Hezbollah kidnapped to provoke this conflict are released. Secretary Rice spoke hours after forcing a significant Israeli concession, a 48-hour suspension of air strikes in southern Lebanon to clear the way for major humanitarian missions.

RICE: These are important, yet temporary measures.

KING: The suspension of Israeli air strikes in the south is a direct fallout of the tragic bombing at Qana and the first time the United States forced a major Israeli concession since the hostilities began nearly three weeks ago.

The proposal rejects, once again, urgent worldwide calls for an immediacy cessation of hostilities. But by brokering the hiatus in Israeli air strikes and now by calling for action in the Security Council this week, Secretary Rice hops to quiet her Arab and other critics who say the United States too often takes Israel's side and, as a result, shares the responsibility for the continued bloodshed.

John King, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And as the secretary of state heads home to the U.S., President Bush is in south Florida today in Miami. He will be speaking there and we expect him at the beginning of his remarks to make comments on what's happening in the Middle East. You'll see that live here on CNN.

Also in California, lethal weapon's star Mel Gibson accused of bigotry remarks. We'll have the story for you. This is CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, we're within a couple of minutes of President Bush showing up there in Miami, Florida. He will be giving a speech at the Coast Guard Command Center. He is expected to make remarks on the Middle East. Off the top we will be listening in for that.

While we wait for the president, let's get in a little bit more news now. Close to the quarter hour. Let's tell you what we know. New Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon today coming less than half way through Israel's 48-hour pledge of restraint. Israel's military says it regrets striking a Lebanese army vehicle. At least several people are reported wounded.

Right now Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is flying home from the region. She say as comprehensive settlement could be reached by the end of the week.

It is hot and getting hotter. Chicago is under a heat alert today. Due to the summer swelter, temperatures there and in Minneapolis could easily hit 100 degrees. And in high humidity it could feel like 110.

Worse, thousands in Michigan's lower peninsula are without power. And there's also a heat warning for Oklahoma today. Temperatures there have hit the 100s for the 17th time this year.

And in Maryland, 12 people went to the hospital with heat-related ailments. They were attending a scout jamboree. Temperatures along the eastern seaboard are expected to hit near 100 degrees this week.

Carefully where you drive in Arizona. Just look at the latest downpour and what it brought to a neighborhood south of Tucson. The ground got so wet a huge sinkhole opened and gobbled up a pair of trucks and a car. Residents complain this happens during hard rains. It's called monsoon season.

And, wow, a beautiful but treacherous sight there. This is Sabino canyon, also near Tucson. People haven't seen anything like this in years. The monsoon rains have been coming down so hard in southern Arizona that Sabino creek looks more like white water. The gushing waters have swept over bridges and uprooted trees.

A few second here to get in some time with Chad Myers.

Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: All right. We will get to President Bush in just a moment. But first to Lebanon.

Growing anger at Israel means growing anger at the U.S. Our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, reports from Beirut.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Within 12 hours of this -- an overnight Israeli air strike on a residential house in Qana, south Lebanon, killing close to 60 people, many of them children, this -- an outpouring of Lebanese anger in Beirut focusing first on the United Nations, destroying windows, smashing office equipment. In less than an hour, thousand more protesters poured in, mostly Hezbollah supporters, but many others, too. Many calls for Arab support but the U.N. still the focus of anger. A picture of U.N. chief Kofi Annan beaten. But the anger is beginning to turn focusing more on America. Politicians quickly weighing in with their own emotional outpourings.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We scream out to our fellow Lebanese and to other Arab brethren and to the whole world to stand united in the face of the Israeli war criminals.

ROBERTSON: At the demonstration, now about 14 hours after the strike, speakers tell protesters to go to the U.S. Embassy. Lebanese army soldiers were out on the streets moving quickly. Protesters begin to disperse.

The call at the demonstration were for the crowds to head here to the U.S. Embassy. The Lebanese army has put up barricades so they can't get up the road.

Protesters were slow to arrive. In the end, only a handful able to get through the roadblocks surrounding the area.

"This war is an American plan in Israeli hands," she says. "We don't want this embassy or this ambassador here."

"We don't want anything that's related to the United States in this country," he says. "They don't love us. Lebanese people are dying and they're saying we are terrorists. But they are bigger terrorists."

Back in the center of the city, just before sunset, 18 hours after the attack, a new crowd gathers. Children in an organized rally. The tone distinctly anti-American. The message very clear, many here hold the United States responsible for the Lebanese deaths earlier in the day.

Anger at America's perceived siding with Israel has been seething under the surface here for the past few weeks. The killings in Qana have finally brought that out into the streets.

Twenty hours after the bombing, the mood turning to reflection, a candlelit vigil for those killed in Qana, bringing more measured tones. But still the undercurrent of anger at U.S. policy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Without the United States pressure on the rest of the international community and without their acquiescence to the Israeli government's policy militarily, there would be no incursions into Lebanon.

ROBERTSON: In Lebanon, it's been an emotional day. They've been here before. Ten years ago an Israeli strike in the same town killed more than 100. But this time they're showing their anger, not just at Israel, but with America too.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Beirut.

(END VIDEOTAPE) KAGAN: And now live to Miami, Florida. President Bush speaking. Let's listen.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Rear Admiral David Kunkle (ph) is with us. I appreciate you being here, Admiral. Particularly want to thank all those who are on our ships, working our ports. And I thank your families. You tell your wife or your husband how much this country appreciates the support of our families for Coast Guard men and women.

I want to thank Bill Johnson (ph), who's acting seaport director. I'm proud to be here with the Federal Emergency Management Agency head, Dave Paulson, south Floridian, by the way. Members of the United States congressional delegation are with us, starting with the congresswoman from this district, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Loras Almonos (ph), Deas Alaro (ph) are with us today. Lincoln Itambian Mario (ph), good to see you guys. Thank you for coming.

Clay Shaw. Congressman Shaw is with us. I'm proud you're here. New speaker of the house, Marco Rubio (ph) is with us today. Mr. Speaker, thank you. Mayor Carlos Alvarez (ph) is with us, El Elcadi (ph), thank you. Mayor Moni Dias (ph) is with us. Thank you Mani (ph).

I want to thank all the local folks for coming. All the people who are concerned about south Florida, local officials. I'm proud to be here.

Let me start by telling you I'm monitoring the situation in the Middle East very closely. Secretary Rice was in the region over the weekend and she is working urgently to get a sustainable cease-fire. A cease-fire which will last. We're going to work with our allies to bring before the United Nations Security Council a resolution that will end the violence and lay the groundwork for lasting peace in the Middle East.

As we work with friends and allies, it is important to remember this crisis began with Hezbollah's unprovoked terrorist attacks against Israel. Israel is exercising its right to defend itself. And we mourn the loss of innocent life. Both in Lebanon and in Israel.

We're determined to delivery relief to those who suffer. We're determined to work to resolve this crisis. To achieve the peace that we want, we must achieve certain clear objectives.

Lebanon's democratic government must be empowered to exercise sole authority over its territory. A multinational force must be dispatched to Lebanon quickly so we can help speed the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people. Iran must end its financial support and supply of weapons to terrorist groups like Hezbollah. Syria must end its support for terror and respect the sovereignty of Lebanon.

This approach will make it possible what so many around the world want to see. The end of Hezbollah's attacks on Israel. The return of the Israeli soldiers taken hostage by the terrorists. The suspension of Israel's operations in Lebanon and the eventually withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The current crisis is part of a larger struggle between the forces of freedom and the forces of terror in the Middle East. For decades, the status quo in the Middle East permitted tyranny and terror to thrive. And as we saw on September 11th, the status quo in the Middle East led to death and destruction in the United States and it had to change. So America's opposing the forces of terror and promoting the cause of democracy across the broader Middle East. This task is long. It is difficult work. But it is necessary work.

When democracy spreads in the Middle East, the people of that troubled region will have a better future. The terrorists will lose their safe havens and their recruits and the United States of America will be more secure. The hard work of helping people realize the benefits of liberty is laying the foundation of peace for generations to come.

It's on honor to be here at the largest container port in Florida and one of the most important ports in our nation. When these docks, ships loaded with cargo deliver products all around the world carrying that label "Made in the USA."

KAGAN: Listening a bit to President Bush. He is in Miami today at the Coast Guard Command Center. He started his remarks with, obviously, events in the Middle East. He said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, as we've been reporting, is headed back here to the U.S. That she is working for what President Bush calls a sustainable cease-fire. Not an immediate cease-fire. And President Bush says he mourns the loss and the U.S. mourns the loss of civilian life, both in Israel and in Lebanon.

President Bush also calling on Iran to stop funding and offering weapons to Hezbollah in order to keep this crisis going. Iran also happens to be the topic at the United Nations today. With more on that, let's bring in our senior U.N. correspondent Richard Roth with development from there.

Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, on Iran, the U.N. Security Council has just passed a resolution, as expected, that gives Iran 30 days in which to freeze any work on its uranium enrichment program. The International Atomic Energy Agency would have to confirm Iran's cooperation.

You're looking at the security council live.

We believe that Qatar, the lone Arab representative on the council, voted against. They don't have veto power, so this resolution went through. The five permanent members, after the last few days of wrangling, settled their differences. The United States and Britain think that in 30 days it opens the door for a discussion on potential sanctions. Russia -- which last week told journalist, what do you want, blood -- they think there would need to be more debate and that sanctions are not that imminent. But we're certainly maybe headed down that road should Iran not cooperate. Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. You'll be watching that, I'm sure. Also tell us what's happening at the U.N. today in terms of the Middle East?

ROTH: Well, there was supposed to be a meeting today of true contributor nation's. They would to be expected offer troops to go to southern Lebanon. But with the diplomatic and political framework not exactly etched in stone yet, countries would be reluctant. And now Condoleezza Rice has talked about coming to the United Nations with a resolution that might tie everything together.

But there are differences on the sequencing and everything. And now the U.N. has announced a delay. First they said there's a delay by one day in the meeting of troop contributors. Now it's an indefinite postponement. All of this after a very hectic Sunday here following the Israeli attack on an apartment complex in Qana, southern Lebanon.

KAGAN: Richard, thank you for that. Richard Roth at the United Nations.

We're going to talk more about Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her plans she says she has for peace. Will it work? We'll talk about that. We'll have insights from the inside as I talk with a former diplomat ahead on CNN, the most trusted name for news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, maybe it was too much to hope that last week's rallies would keep going today. The stock market not looking like it did last week. A 350 point gain for the Dow last week. But now the Dow down just a little bit, seven points. It's been open about an hour. And the Nasdaq also just a teeny tiny bit in negative territory. It is -- well, that one's actually saying that it's up three. Call it good.

Live pictures now from the United Nations. This is U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton addressing the Security Council. Let's listen.

JOHN BOLTON, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: ...expects that Iran and all other U.N. member states will immediately act in accordance with the mandatory obligations of this resolution.

This is the first Security Council resolution on Iran in response to its nuclear weapons program, reflecting the gravity of this situation and the determination of the council.

We hope this resolution will demonstrate to Iran that the best way to end its international isolation is to simply give up the pursuit of nuclear weapons.

We look forward to Iran's full, unconditional and immediate compliance with this resolution. We hope that Iran makes the strategic decision that the pursuit of programs of weapons of mass destruction makes it less, and not more, secure.

We need to be prepared, however, that Iran might choose a different path. That is why it is important that the United States and other member states have expressed their intention to adopt measures under Article 41 in the event that Iran does not comply with this resolution.

In closing, I would like to thank all members of the council for their efforts in helping us secure a strong resolution.

I thank you, Mr. President.

KAGAN: And those are the closing comments from the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., John Bolton. This is on the day that the Security Council is looking at Iran. It wants that country to stop its uranium enrichment practices, and it says if it doesn't do it by August 31st, it could face the threat of sanctions. More from the U.N. just ahead.

Right now, we're at about the half hour. Let's take a look at what we know what's happening with Lebanon and Israel.

It is a day after Israel announced a two-day halt in air strikes in Lebanon, but Israeli war planes bomb a vehicle that was carrying Lebanese soldiers. Israel said it thought a senior member of Hezbollah was in the car.

And after a weekend in Israel, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is headed back to Washington this hour. Rice says she believes a comprehensive settlement can be reached this week.

More now on the diplomatic maneuvers. And with me now from Washington is Theodore Kattouf. He is a former American ambassador to Syria and the United Arab Emirates.

Mr. Ambassador, good morning. Thank you for being here with us.

THEODORE KATTOUF, FMR. U.S. AMB. TO UAE: Morning, Kara (ph).

KAGAN: It's Daryn. What do you think of the progress that Secretary Rice has made so far?

KATTOUF: Well, she hasn't made a lot of progress so far. In fact, the Lebanese prime minister, Fouad Siniora, who is pro-West, asked her not to come to Beirut after she was already in Israel because of the intense anger among Lebanese of all persuasions with the killings yesterday in the south Lebanese village of Qana, where 60 people died, most of them children.

KAGAN: And so she is heading back to Washington, eventually to the U.N. to talk about this cease-fire. So three-parter. Let's go over this. There would be a cease-fire, political principles for a long-term cease-fire settlement And an international force, which now, it appears, with the latest development out of the U.N., they're having trouble getting that together, as well. KATTOUF: Right. Well, the -- there are several problems here. One: unless Iran and Syria tell Hezbollah it's time to disarm, it's hard to imagine that the Hezbollah leadership, after withstanding this Israeli onslaught, is going to agree to a formula for disarmament. Secondly, if Hamas does not voluntarily disarm, it's hard to see what U.N. member states are going to step forward to contribute troops to do essentially what Israel couldn't do, which is to confront Hezbollah and disarm it.

KAGAN: I mean, really what's the incentive? This has been very successful for Hezbollah. It's taken the world's attention. It's taken power, basically, in Lebanon, and it's faced the Israeli military. It's been empowered and emboldened.

KATTOUF: Right. Guerrilla movements, regulars such as Hezbollah; if they don't lose, they essentially win. And that's what's happening with Hezbollah. Survival is winning, as the leader of Hezbollah put it. And that is actually more or less true.

KAGAN: So what's a tactic the U.S. hasn't taken that it still can, that you think?

KATTOUF: Well, the United States, I think, has to perhaps broaden its reach. We are not going to solve this problem shunning everybody in the region we don't like. I'm not saying that by reaching out to some of the actors we don't like, we're going to have success. But I can't imagine we're going to have success if we don't at least try.

So, for instance, Syria, which everybody agrees facilitates the flow of weapons to Hezbollah -- it's essentially a bridge between Iran, the main patron of Hezbollah, and the fighters on the ground in Lebanon. So if Syria cannot be brought aboard, Hezbollah is going to be able to resupply continually.

KAGAN: Mr. Ambassador, I would like to talk with you a lot more about the topic. Right now we have a developing story out of Florida, so I'm going to have to let you go. Former ambassador Theodore Kattouf, thank you.

Now to Miami. Our Ed Henry is standing by there. He is traveling with the president today -- Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

That's right. You know, we just heard from the president, obviously addressing supporters here near the port of Miami, talking about issues like homeland security, wanting to talk about the economy. But that focus on domestic issues being overshadowed once again by all these foreign policy hot spots, especially Lebanon.

The significant development here is that the president once again did not embrace an immediate cease-fire, despite the growing international pressure, especially after the Israeli air strike on Qana yesterday. The president telling supporters that, while the U.S. mourns the loss of life on both sides, both in Lebanon and in Israel, that Secretary Rice is working on a lasting peace, not a short-term fix.

As you know, Secretary Rice now headed back to Washington. She's been trying to craft the United Nations resolution that the U.S. hopes could pass this week and provide that lasting peace. The president was on the phone with Secretary of State Rice no less than three times yesterday, trying to monitor these developments. Now that she's headed back to Washington, when the president returns to the White House early this evening, he will get a direct face-to-face briefing from the secretary -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Ed Henry in south Florida. Ed, thank you.

Back to Israel now, which is blaming Hezbollah for the civilian carnage in Lebanon. Ahead on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Back to the Middle East now. Israel calls civilian deaths in Southern Lebanon this weekend a tragic mistake. It points a finger of blame at Hezbollah.

More now from CNN's John Roberts. We need to caution you here, many of the images in his report are disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ROBERTS, CNN SR. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The images are heart-wrenching: dozens of dead, many of them children; carried from the rubble of this building in Qana, destroyed by an Israel bomb. They are also, Israel military officials admit, a terrible blow to public opinion in its campaign to push Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon.

Deeply sorry for what it calls a mistake, the Israeli military claims it was targeting a Hezbollah rocket launcher nearby and released infrared video of what it says was evidence Hezbollah launchers are using civilian buildings for cover. This video is not of today's attack, nor is it from Qana. But according to the Israel military, the circumstances from this July 22nd incident in southern Lebanon are similar.

The black flashes on the screen are the heat signatures from the missiles' rocket motor. The launcher appears to be positioned behind what the military says is an apartment building, a building like the one destroyed in Qana.

Another video, this one from an aircraft gun site camera, shows what the Israel military claims are Katyusha launchers operating in Qana. The military says it was shot in recent days and that the white flashes are missiles aiming toward towns in northern Israel. Israeli officials insist it is a threat that must be removed.

MARK REGEV, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN: Well, if we know that there are civilians in a target area, we won't act. But we have to state the facts here. This wasn't some peaceful little community that Israel went into. Unfortunately, we had just in the last few days more than 100 rockets fired from that community into Israel cities.

Now, that doesn't excuse. We really express our regret. This is a terrible, terrible incident. But blame has to be shared around here, and primarily with Hezbollah.

ROBERTS: A third video provided to CNN by the Israeli military shows how difficult it is to target where those Katyusha rockets are being fired from. The gun site cameras follow missile launch vehicles as they weave through the streets, running for cover in buildings and garages. The Israeli military said the video was shot recently in southern Lebanon but not in Qana.

Israeli officials say they will conduct a full investigation into the Qana bombing and the civilian deaths, but they make no apology for targeting the rocket launchers and the deadly threat they pose to Israeli civilians.

John Roberts, CNN, along the Israel-Lebanon border.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: We're going to focus on some consumer news just ahead. Gerri Willis is along with "Gerri's Tips." Hi, Gerri.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey there, Daryn. Good to see you.

If this heat wave is pushing your electricity bill higher, we'll show you ways to lighten the load. Get out the pencils and paper. "Top Tips" is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We're at the quarter hour. Let's take a look what we know right now.

A day after Israel announced a two-day halt to air strikes in Lebanon, Israeli war planes bomb a vehicle killing Lebanese soldiers. Israel says it thought a senior member of Hezbollah was in the car.

And after a weekend in Israel, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is headed back to Washington this hour. Rice says she believes a comprehensive settlement can be reached this week.

Record-breaking heat has triggered power black-outs in some parts of the country. But even if your electricity has stayed on, your electric bills are likely going up. And unfortunately, some shirts are coming off, apparently. How can you trim your costs and survive the summer swelter? The answer in a well-clothed Gerri Willis.

WILLIS: Yes, I am well-clothed.

KAGAN: We will make an oath to keep our tops on for the entire segment.

WILLIS: Hi there, Daryn.

KAGAN: Hello, Gerri.

WILLIS: Well, with the summer heat wave, we're all keeping a wary eye on the electric bill. Bottom line, you know this, it's going to be expensive. Here's what your energy bill may look like. Check this out. The numbers are going up, up, up. These are average electric bills. They're obviously on the rise. Next year, $95 a month.

KAGAN: OK, so let fix it. First we want to audit your home.

WILLIS: That's right. You have to figure out where the money is going by conducting a home audit at the Home Energy Saver's Web site -- that's hes.lbl.gov.

Now, here is an example of where most of your energy dollars goes. Your lighting takes up almost 9 percent of the bill. Your fridge, 13 percent. That's amazing. And air conditioning -- it's expensive -- 16 percent.

KAGAN: Shopping tools. What can you use for that?

WILLIS: It's the major appliances in your home that can cause the biggest dents in the utility bill. We just showed you the fridge. So, first, if you're buying a new appliance, grab the rebates. See if you get rebates for buying Energy Star appliances at energystar.gov. And you should also check out the National Resources Defense Council at nrdc.org, or consumerreports.org. Lots more information there, too, about appliances that are really efficient.

KAGAN: And what about -- I'm sounding Canadian, what "aboot" -- some miner adjustments, some tweaking?

WILLIS: Well, changing some habits could save you a bunch of dough on your electricity bill. Simply switching to cold water with your laundry could save you $63 a year. Remember, detergent will get clothes just as clean in cold water as it does in hot. Now, when it comes to cooking, think microwave. It's much more efficient than the stove.

And Daryn, I just want to update you here on gas prices.

KAGAN: Yes?

WILLIS: Good news here, they've stabilized a little bit. The national average is still, though, $3 a gallon. I know that hurts. But if you want really cheap gas -- you were asking us last week -- Marathon Gas Station in Huber Heights, Ohio, $2.64 a gallon. And that is according to gaspricewatch.com.

KAGAN: All right, we'll stop on by Huber Heights.

WILLIS: Great idea. And send us an e-mail if you have questions out there to toptips@CNN.com. We answer those questions on Friday, and we love, love, love to hear from you.

KAGAN: Gerri, thank you.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

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KAGAN: "Lethal Weapon" star Mel Gibson accused of bigoted remarks. We'll have that story just ahead. This is CNN, the most trusted name in news.

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KAGAN: The Hollywood buzz today all about the Oscar-winning actor and director Mel Gibson. His arrest overshadowed by an alleged outburst, and the arresting officers find themselves under scrutiny, as well.

Our entertainment correspondent Brooke Anderson has more.

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BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Reverberations from Gibson's arrest are spreading through Los Angeles. Now the L.A. County Sheriff's Department is embroiled in reports they gave Gibson preferential treatment after he was arrested early Friday morning in Malibu, California, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The entertainment news Web site tmz.com reports authorities altered the arresting deputy's handwritten report, allegedly removing offensive comments Gibson made when he was arrested. TMZ alleges Gibson spewed obscenities and hurled sexist and anti-Semitic statements, including, quote, "F*****g Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." Gibson then, according to TMZ, turned to the deputy and asked, "Are you a Jew?"

Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, will neither confirm nor deny the reports of Gibson's alleged statements, but told CNN the arrest occurred "without incident," clarifying what that means: quote, "Every time somebody is arrested, something out of the ordinary happens, but guns don't always have to be drawn. Without incident means without force."

He went on to say, "There has been no cover-up by the sheriff's department. Nothing has been sanitized. The job of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department is not to focus on what he said or didn't say, but to establish his blood alcohol level and concentrate on the facts."

Mike Gennaco, who heads the independent group of attorneys who monitor sheriffs' department investigations, told CNN they are looking into the allegations of misconduct, but said it's not unusual for there to be numerous versions of a report. Quote: "There certainly could be legitimate reasons for sending a report back and changing it. That happens all the time." CNN hasn't seen the official report, but has requested a copy under the California Public Records Act.

Gibson released a lengthy statement through his publicist Saturday, calling his behavior belligerent and saying, quote, "I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I apologize to anyone who I have offended. I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry."

The Anti-Defamation League issued a statement Sunday, saying Gibson's apology was, quote, "Unremorseful and insufficient." They went on to say, "It does not go to the essence of his bigotry and his anti-Semitism." The ADL is responding to reports that Gibson allegedly made anti-Semitic remarks, allegations Gibson did not directly address in his statement.

Gibson's publicist, Allen Nierob, told CNN on Sunday he would not comment on whether Gibson had entered an alcohol rehabilitation program, nor would he address whether Gibson made anti-Semitic remarks during his arrest. He said Gibson's statement speaks for itself.

Brooke Anderson, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Coming up at the top of the hour, the latest developments on the crisis in the Middle East. They are deadly and uncontrollable, Hezbollah's weapon of choice. A closer look at Katyusha rockets ahead on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

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