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CNN Live Today

Crisis Continues in Middle East; "Serial Shooter" Case in Phoenix; A Look Inside Hezbollah

Aired August 04, 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: All right. We have a lot to get to in the next couple hours. Let's start with what we know at this hour about what's happening in the Middle East crisis.
Israel intensifies its attacks by ground and by air. Lebanon's civil defense says this air strike in eastern Lebanon killed at least 25 people.

Israel pummeled Beirut's southern suburb again, targeting the Hezbollah stronghold. And war planes take out the roads and bridges to isolate the city.

Meanwhile, support for Hezbollah grows across the region. In Baghdad, tens of thousands of Iraqis flood the streets to back the militant group.

Our Beirut bureau chief, Brent Sadler, is in the Lebanese capital and brings us the latest about what is happening there.

Brent, hello.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Good morning, Daryn.

More reports coming in after that Israeli air strike at the northern end of the Bekaa Valley against the Hezbollah stronghold. These are the latest pictures we have. They show the carnage after this attack. At least 25 people killed. And mostly agricultural workers it's reported. They were said to have been transferring boxes of agricultural produce from trucks to a refrigerated cold (ph) store in the village of Alca (ph). Now it is known that since the war began, Israel has been using its air power particularly against trucks, fearing that they may be used to transport supplies or weapons for Hezbollah.

In other major developments here this morning, Israeli war planes, Daryn, were again in action just after dawn targeting the main coastal highway from Beirut to Lebanon's northern border with Israel. Two bridges were blasted in sight of the famed Casino Duleva (ph) over the port city of Juni (ph). The bridges blasted. Giant holes. Cars entangled in the twisted rubble there. A then a huge bridge carrying multilane highway was attacked and that collapsed. And it was suspected for a time that there was at least one person missing, trapped, probably dead, under that mountain of rubble. The reason again, Israel's military objective to cut the main supply routes that Hezbollah could use to transport men and material from Syria. But Lebanese as a whole are now reeling at the increasing levels of destruction against their country. Total bill now over $2 billion. More than 71 bridges now destroyed in the more than three-week campaign.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Brent, what are those attacks on those northern bridges do to traffic within the city?

SADLER: Well, effectively the demolition there has now cut off the last fast speed link from Beirut to the only viable exit by land, the northern border with Syria. Yes, you can still make the journey, but it's going to be much, much slower, using slow moving byways and detours. And the stuff coming in, think about humanitarian supplies, Daryn, how much more difficult will it be to move large amounts of humanitarian aid with the roads and bridges now so badly destroyed.

KAGAN: Brent Sadler live from Beirut. Thank you.

Let's check on the Israeli side of things. The offensive there expanding and intensifying. Our senior international correspondent Matthew Chance is near the Israeli/Lebanese border with the latest from there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, fierce fighting underway across southern Lebanon. Israeli forces continue to clash with Hezbollah fighters. There are some 10,000 Israeli soldiers on the ground right now moving village to village again in fierce close combat.

There's been a number of casualties on both sides in the last few hours. It's been confirmed to us by the Israeli defense forces another three of their soldiers were killed. More injured. But when Hezbollah fighters fired an anti-tank rocket at their position, casualties on the Hezbollah side, as well.

But the strategy, it seems, is for Israel to expand its operations, to try and establish a buffer zone north of the Israeli border which it calls a Hezbollah-free zone. Where it can stop cross- border raids by Hezbollah into Israel. It's still formulating that strategy right now. It still hasn't achieved it yet. But that's why we're seeing these expanded operations across the area.

In the meantime, there's been video images come to us from the Israeli defense forces, approved by the sensor, showing Hezbollah fighters being captured by Israeli forces and being brought back into Israel for interrogation. They're described as low level members of Hezbollah. It's believed there are about 10 of them, although the Israeli defense forces haven't confirmed to us the number of prisoners that they've taken.

In the meantime Israeli defense officials saying that their intention at the moment is to establish that buffer zone and to keep it until such time as a multinational force is agreed and is deployed on the ground. That could mean Israeli forces in southern Lebanon for some time to come.

Matthew Chance, CNN, on the Israeli/Lebanese border.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: What you are listening to and looking at, tens of thousands of Iraqis jamming the streets of Baghdad's Sadr City. In that neighborhood today, a strong show of support for Hezbollah and its fight against Israel. CNN's Harris Whitbeck joins me now live from the Iraqi capital.

Harris, what can you tell me about this demonstration?

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the demonstration has been billed as the largest demonstration of support for Hezbollah in the Middle East. As you said, tens of thousands of Hezbollah supporters. Many of them were bussed in from outlying areas. They all converged on Sadr City, which is a stronghold of radical Shiite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

They were accompanied by armed members of the Mahdi militia, which, you'll recall, engaged in fierce fighting with U.S. troops down in Najaf about two years ago. They were waving Hezbollah flags, they were waving Lebanese flags and they were burning Israeli and U.S. flags. Many of the people who were there were shrouded in white cloths, which symbolizes their willingness to die for their cause. And many of them said they were willing to go to Lebanon to join the Hezbollah fighters against Israel.

Daryn.

KAGAN: Harris Whitbeck live from Baghdad. Harris, thank you for that.

I want to focus now on what's happening at the United Nations. More meetings today. We expect any minute to see the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton. While we wait for that to happen, and perhaps he'll step up to the microphone, let's go ahead and check in with our senior U.N. correspondent Richard Roth.

Richard, good morning.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

I'm not sure we're going to see Ambassador Bolton. That's an indication of how intense these discussions are now about a resolutions. That the main players are the United States and France. And they were negotiating again last night. They were negotiating again this morning. Not just here in New York, but phone calls, conversations between Washington and Paris.

One U.S. spokesman saying seconds ago that we don't have that many differences left. They want to highlight the areas of agreement. They're going to be working throughout the day. Doesn't appear to be any type of ending to the discussions today, at least. So we can, as we've said in the last few days, look for maybe some type of resolution early next week. Yesterday Condoleezza Rice on the discussions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: We're certainly getting close. We're working with the French very closely. We're working with others. We wanted very much to see an end to this conflict. We need to end the hostilities in a way, though, that points forward a direction for a sustainable peace. And we are working -- we've worked with the parties when I was in the region to come up with those principles, with those elements. We're now working on a Security Council resolution and hopefully we can get that passed. And I think it will certainly be within days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: Condoleezza Rice on "Larry King Live." The differences, Daryn, involve the sequencing of events and the approaches. And I know it seem as little odd while the fighting rages here about people working on words, but they are going to live on. As we saw and have seen with that resolution a couple of years ago on Hezbollah and militias disarming, what is agreed to here can have long lasting ramifications.

KAGAN: Richard, I heard the secretary of state mention France. I keep seeing France pops up in different articles. What role does France play in all this?

ROTH: Well, France has historical background and history in Lebanon. And the former prime minister of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri, who was assassinated, was a close friend of the French leader Jacques Chirac. The French and the United States are working closely on this issue. They didn't on Iraq. But certainly on Lebanon they have found common ground, moving forward away from the differences pre-war on Iraq. Now post war, maybe, they'll come together on Israel and Lebanon.

KAGAN: Richard Roth at the U.N. Richard, thank you.

Let's move to Arizona where police in Phoenix report some major developments in the serial shooter investigation. That announcement comes after authorities in nearby Mesa detained two men for questioning. Police have scheduled a news conference for 1:00 p.m. Eastern and we'll have that for you live here on CNN. Authorities say at least six people have been killed in the string of crimes blamed on the serial shooter.

More background now on the Phoenix investigation. The serial shooter is linked to 36 shootings dating to May of 2005. Police say a 22-year-old woman who was killed just this Sunday is believed to be the latest victim.

As we mentioned, authorities say at least six people have been killed, 18 others wounded. Police say the shooter targeted people who were biking, walking or outside by themselves. This case is one of two different serial killer investigations going on in Phoenix. The so-called base line killer is blamed for 23 crimes, including eight murders.

Want to talk about the heat. It is affecting a lot of people across the country. Any relief in sight? Chad Myers will be along to tell us more about that. There's Chad. Seated and working hard.

Also ahead, Hezbollah's leader. Israel is tracking him. What happens if they find him? The options ahead on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Macy temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. That's not exactly cool, but an improvement over the sweaty triple digit readings earlier this week. Boston, you're getting your break too. That city had no major power outages this week, but the heat triggered record energy demand and scattered blackouts elsewhere. The weather is blamed for at least 27 deaths in 11 states and D.C. since Sunday. Relief in the northeast today, but much of the south stays in the upper 90s to the 100s and above with that -- they call it miserable humidity. I'm just going to call it traditional humidity. You know like a tree at Christmas, Chad, humidity in August and July.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: I want to go to Phoenix, Arizona, now where it's been a scary summer, not just because it's so hot -- it's always hot there in the summer -- but because of the serial shooter investigations that have been going on. There might be a break in the case. Let's check in with Claudia Rivero. She's with our affiliate KTVK, News Channel 3, in Phoenix.

Claudia, good morning.

CLAUDIA RIVERO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Daryn.

Certainly a huge break in this case for the Phoenix Police Department. They have confirmed that they have made an arrest in the case of the serial shooter. Now this is a crime spree that began in May of last year. They started by shooting horses and dogs then people. Thirty-six shootings in all. Six of those were murders. And it was a crime spree that pretty much spread throughout the Valley of the Sun.

Just a short time ago Phoenix police did confirm that two people were arrested. Now for folks familiar with the Valley of the Sun, they were arrested in the area called -- a town called Mesa at an apartment complex there. Now, Phoenix police right now are not releasing too many details as far as how all of this took place.

But there was a $100,000 reward being offered for any information in this case. So it will certainly be interesting to see if it was the result of a tip from the public that led to the arrest of these two individuals. But certainly, again, a huge break for the Phoenix Police Department, the Scottsdale Police Department, Mesa Police Department, as well as the FBI and the ATF. All of these agencies have been working together to try to break this case.

Again, 36 shootings, six murders. The last one happened just a short time ago. In fact, it was just earlier this week. It was a 22- year-old woman who was fatally shot. And again, the M.O. was always the same in these shootings. They happened late at night between 11:00 p.m. and at about 4:30 in the morning. The victims were usually walking by themselves or on a bicycle and certainly that was the M.O. in all of these 36 shootings.

Now also it's important to mention that out of those 36 shootings, only four have been linked by forensic evidence. The rest were linked by the method of operation. But certainly a huge break in this case for the Phoenix Police Department. We spoke to Sergeant Andy Hill just a short time ago and he certainly called it a very good day and very good news for the Phoenix Police Department and, obviously, for the community as well because it's been a huge case here as it's been reported not just in Phoenix, but throughout the country.

And as you mentioned, there's also -- it was a hunt for two serial killers. A very unique situation here for authorities because not only were they dealing with the serial shooter, but also with the so called base line killer who is still on the loose. A $100,000 reward is being offered for that individual's arrest.

But again, two people in custody right now here as we speak at Phoenix Police headquarters. They were arrested earlier today in Mesa. And it will be several hours before they're actually transported over to the Fourth Avenue jail. and at that point, of course, they'll make their initial appearance in court and we'll have to wait and see exactly what charges they'll be facing. But certainly six murders in this.

KAGAN: Yes, Claudia, I'm just going to jump in here because I'm sure you can't see what we're showing on CNN right now because you're outside there in Phoenix. But we do have this new video in. Pixilated pictures of the two suspects that were taken into custody. While we look at that, we've also prepared some graphics that get to the point of what you were talking about. That it's not just one investigation, two going on. So I'm going to talk about this background and then I'm going to have you jump in and tell me what you know. OK.

RIVERO: Absolutely.

KAGAN: So background for our viewers across the country. The serial shooter investigation. That one is linked to 36 shootings dating to May of 2005. Police say a 22-year-old woman killed Sunday -- you heard Claudia mention this -- is believed to be the latest victim. Also authorities say at least six people have been killed. Eighteen others wounded. Police say the shooter targeted people who were biking, walking or outside alone.

Now that is one of two serial killer investigations in Phoenix. Claudia also mention the so-called base line killer. That one blamed for 23 crimes, including a murder. So there in Phoenix and across the whole valley, Claudia, is it confusing to people there? Are they very clear about that these are two separate investigations?

RIVERO: You know, there has been so much coverage give to both of these cases that right now we even have billboards in parts of downtown Phoenix that are very clear, very specific. We have that composite sketch, which I'm sure you have seen of the so-called base line killer. And there's also -- we never really did get a description of the serial shooter, which now we know it turned out to be two suspects.

But certainly there's been so much coverage that the folks were very familiar with both of these cases. The Phoenix Police Department and the other agencies working, the other police departments working together, really did a great job of releasing that information out to the public. And there was also a reward that was given to the silent witness program of $100,000 reward for each of these serial shooters. So certainly you know it will be interesting to see if the public, because the Phoenix Police Department and all the agencies were really, really going to the public asking them for help because, as always, as I mentioned, somebody knew who these two people are. And we'll have to wait and see if that was indeed the case. And if they'll release that information. We are expecting a news conference at 10:00 our time. So hopefully we'll find out more details at that point.

KAGAN: All right, Claudia, thank you. Good job. Claudia Rivero from our affiliate KTVK, News Channel 3 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Now for those of you out there, if you think you have information relating to the case, you can contact Phoenix Police at 480-WITNESS or 1-800-343-TIPS. You heard Claudia mention the news conference. That's scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. local time in Phoenix. You're going to see that live right here on CNN.

Meanwhile, we move on. Gerri Willis is coming up. She has answers to your e-mail questions.

Gerri.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Daryn, good to see you.

On the hook for a medical bill that's not yours? Pretty scary stuff. We'll tell you what to do when we answer our viewer mail. "Top Tips" is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: I want to show you these new pictures we're getting into us here at CNN. New pictures from Mesa, Arizona, just east of Phoenix. There appears to be a break in the serial killer investigation. Police in Mesa saying they have two people in custody that could lead to a big break in this case. A number of people have been shot and killed since May. There's a news conference coming up in a few hours, 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. Arizona time when we expect the Phoenix Police to talk about this potential break in the case. You will see that live here on CNN.

Markets have been open an hour. Let's go to Wall Street to see how they're doing. A big surge for a Friday. A summer Friday. How about that? The Dow is up 67 points. The Nasdaq moving up nicely as well. Even more so. It is up 14 points.

It is Friday. That means viewer questions on money matters. Here with answer's and "Gerri's Top Tips," our personal finance editor Gerri Willis.

Gerri, happy Friday.

WILLIS: Hey, happy Friday to you too, Daryn.

Hit me with your first question.

KAGAN: I'll hit you with my best shot here.

OK. Michele in New Orleans. She says, "my 19 year old son will be flying to France next week. Any suggestions on how I should give him the money?" Love you, Michele. "Do you recommend credit cards? Travelers' checks? Cash?" What do you say?

WILLIS: Well, Michelle, you know, credit cards are the safest type of currency you can use. Your son will have limited liability if the card is lost or stolen. Plus, some credit cards may even give him emergency cash if he really needs it. And the exchange rate is very competitive despite foreign currency fees that can be up to 3 percent. Another good idea, though, is to have some local currency in your pocket. So give him an ATM card, too. But be weary, the fees can be pretty steep if he uses that card outside the bank's network. But, you know, Michele, if you need to adopt somebody, I'm available.

KAGAN: And make sure your son says merci beaucoup all the money.

WILLIS: That's right.

KAGAN: The next one from Carolyn Gray. She wants to know - she's a homeowner and she's about to venture - is it FSBO? Is that how you say that?

WILLIS: Correct.

KAGAN: OK, FSBO. "Can you please give some tips for those of us who have not done major upgrades?" And why don't we start by explaining FSBO.

WILLIS: FSBO.

KAGAN: Yes.

WILLIS: Well, Carolyn wants to sell her house on her own. So this is a very big deal. A lot of people save a lot of money by doing it but it's a lot of work. The good news is you don't necessarily have to do major upgrades to your house to spruce it up. You might want to start, though, by troubleshooting your lawn since the high temperatures have probably taken a toll on it. And if the exterior of your house need as fresh look, a great idea is to pressure wash it. Of course, a fresh coat of paint on the trim and the door will go a long way with potential buyers. Put some flowers out front. It's all about that curb appeal when you're selling on your own or with a broker.

KAGAN: Gerri, I need to have a girlfriend's moment before we go to the next question. I think your microphone fell off. It might even be inside your blouse.

WILLIS: Yes.

KAGAN: Am I right?

WILLIS: There we go.

KAGAN: OK. All right. Thank you.

WILLIS: We're good. Can I hear you now?

KAGAN: Yes, I can hear you now and I've got your back, girlfriend.

WILLIS: Thank you.

KAGAN: OK. Tim has a pain of a problem. He has a doctor's bill from 2002. The problem is, it wasn't him. They reported it to the credit reporting agencies. How can I fix it? That sounds like a nightmare.

WILLIS: Yes, it does sound bad. And really, you know, frustrating I know for people. First off, get a copy of your medical records. Call your doctor. By law you have a right to do this. Then compare the information on the bill, like your social security number or the insurance I.D. number that's listed. Then get the report from the credit bureaus, all three of them, at annualcreditreport.com. Now if the wrong information is on the report, you dispute it with credit agencies. If you're in the right, this information has to be corrected. Just make sure the information you send to those credit agencies in writing.

KAGAN: Good point. Now it couldn't be -- we couldn't wrap up the week of financial news without talking about gas prices. What are viewers writing to you about that?

WILLIS: Well, this is really interesting. We got an e-mail from a viewer. You know we were talking last week about gas prices in Hawaii being the highest in the country at $3.37 a gallon. Well, we got an e-mail from Jonathan in Nova Scotia. He says, "I am in Nova Scotia. We get 10 feet of snow per year and gas is $4.61 per gallon." He says, "It costs me $50 just to fill my Honda Civic."

Right, can you imagine? He says, "I just want to give you some perspective on the situation." And I think we've got it now, that we know somebody out there is paying $4.61.

Now, if you have questions out there, if you want to ask us a question that we'll answer on "Five Tips" right here on CNN, send us an e-mail to toptips@cnn.com. We want to hear from you, all your money issues.

One quick update here, Daryn. Gas average now $3.00 a gallon. Pretty much unchanged. Remember a year ago, $2.30 a gallon. Those were the days.

KAGAN: Making me nostalgic there for a moment.

WILLIS: You're welcome. Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Gerri, thank you.

WILLIS: You're welcome. Thank you.

KAGAN: Here is what we know at this hour. Want to show you -- Lebanese officials say an Israeli airstrike has killed 25 civilians and wounded ten others in the village of Ka (ph).

Israel airstrikes knocked out bridges in Lebanon's Christian heartland for the first time, further isolating the capital and killing at least three people.

And Israel says two of its soldiers were killed and one seriously wounded by a Hezbollah anti-tank missile attack.

Have new video into us here at CNN. This is Baghdad. This is Sadr City. A large, very large Shiite neighborhood. Pro-Hezbollah raid -- pro-Hezbollah rallies, actually, going on. Thousands of people showing up to show support for Hezbollah for the fighting that's taking place in southern Lebanon.

Speaking of southern Lebanon, let's go there. Our Ben Wedeman is standing by. He is in the city of Tyre -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Daryn.

At the moment, it's fairly quiet here, but earlier in the day, we saw several bombs landing to the east and south of here, very large ones. We also saw some Katyusha rockets being launched from this area, as well.

But a lot of the fighting is taking place further down the coast around a village called Marqaba (ph). There, apparently, Hezbollah fighters have been engaging Israeli forces for quite some time. Now, we've heard in the Arab media as many as five Israeli soldiers were killed in those clashes.

The Israeli army says two of their soldiers were killed, several seriously wounded. In addition to that, the Israeli army says it killed ten Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah usually does not give out precise numbers when it comes to their casualties -- Daryn. KAGAN: You know, we keep hearing, Ben, about these anti-tank missiles that Hezbollah are firing on the Israeli military. What is that and how does it work?

WEDEMAN: Well, it depends. There's a variety of things. Sometimes they are shoulder-launched rocket propelled grenades, essentially, with just the right kind of tip that goes through the armor. It really all depends on what kind of weapon they're using. And as I said, we don't have a lot of battlefield intelligence from these exchanges because Hezbollah really doesn't share any of its sort of specific tactical information -- Daryn.

KAGAN: They're not exactly holding daily briefings.

WEDEMAN: No, not at all.

KAGAN: Got it. Ben Wedeman, thank you. Live from Tyre in southern Lebanon.

Israel's battle with Hezbollah has many of you wanting to know more about that group. To some, they are terrorists; to others,they are heroes.

Our Nic Robertson gives us a rare look inside Hezbollah.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Where are we going now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now, we are moving to where Israeli jet fighters, bombed what it calls Hezbollah headquarters.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): These are Beirut's southern suburbs, predominantly Shiite, and a Hezbollah stronghold. These days, it's a dangerous place, and this Hezbollah spokesman is clearly rattled by the prospect of more Israeli bombs.

(on camera): How dangerous is it in this area at the moment?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is very, very dangerous. We are now the most dangerous place in the most dangerous moment.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): Israeli warplanes have hit this area hard, because it's the political capital of Hezbollah. A state within a state. Its influence is everywhere. Before the bombing began, you could find Hezbollah hospitals, schools and charities, supporting Lebanon's traditionally poor and dispossessed Shiite community.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I said to Hezbollah, God bless you.

ROBERTSON: For Malika Saror (ph) and her family, Hezbollah provides water when no one else can or will. Even now, when so many are displaced.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My sister, we heard her, go to bring water from there, there is very big cans. They put water in it, in all Lebanon. ROBERTSON: In her old neighborhood near Beirut's airport, the one she fled after Israel began bombing, and the one she hopes to return to, Hezbollah picked up the garbage, paid for medical care, and helped run the schools. Stepping in, and overshadowing the Lebanese government.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hezbollah is doing all the things for the people.

ROBERTSON: On a practical level, Hezbollah paid half the cost for her daughter Zeneb's (ph) school and Zeneb says that was just the beginning of the help.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If something is broken in my school, Hezbollah helps them to make it, and to correct it again.

ROBERTSON: Now, Zeneb is on her way to becoming the next generation of Hezbollah.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I hope that, to when I be big and adult, I want to be a doctor for Hezbollah. If someone has a hurt in his arms, I will help him.

ROBERTSON: Both mother and daughter say they appreciate all that Hezbollah does for them, but the most important thing to them is still the resistance.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I like them more when they kill the Israelis from our land, because this land is our, us only.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All my life, all my life to family, to-my family and to my husband, to my sisters, to all the world.

ROBERTSON: And in return for all that it's given her, Hezbollah's won Malika's (ph) unconditional support. When the family is finally able to return to their home, they believe that Hezbollah will help them rebuild.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They promised that they will help the people to continue, yes, their life again.

ROBERTSON: Hezbollah has a track record of doing just that. In 1996, after an Israeli military assault destroyed numerous buildings in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah was quick to help its supporters rebuild.

TIMUR GOKSEL, FORMER UN PEACEKEEPER: Hezbollah has a very interesting outfit called the Jihad Construction company. They load their trucks with windows and all kinds of construction equipment. And all of these young guys with their t-shirts saying "jihad," they will go from house to house and offer the people, do you want us to fix the windows, do you want us to fix your doors?

ROBERTSON: Even now, as its buildings are being destroyed, Hezbollah is organizing refugees and relief services, proof, its ability to provide social service, has survived. (on camera): There's a lot of damage here.

(voice-over): The rebuilding of south Beirut won't come until the bombs stop falling, but when it does, Hezbollah will be there for its followers, as it has so many times before. For now, it's more about surviving.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our action is always reaction. It's never an action.

ROBERTSON (on camera): But they say you're killing civilians.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now there is jet fighters, we have to move.

ROBERTSON: You're really worried about another strike here right now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course, of course.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: You can learn more about Hezbollah, its past, present and future this Saturday and Sunday night at 8:00 Eastern. Anderson Cooper is your host. "INSIDE HEZBOLLAH" will have reports from Christiane Amanpour in northern Israel and Nic Robertson in southern Lebanon. This is one to watch.

Well, are you in search of a bargain?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's crazy, but it's worth it. He's getting a statement made, and we need something done bad. This is getting to be ridiculous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: How about gas for $1.22? The story behind the lines next hour on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Could the U.S. be sending help to Lebanon's army? The Pentagon explores what it can do including possibly some training for the Lebanese military.

Our Barbara Starr is live at the Pentagon with more on that -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, the Pentagon has now informed Congress that it wants to spend about $10 million buying spare parts, ammunition and other equipment for the Lebanese army. This notification has actually gone to Capitol Hill. The idea is they will buy the gear for the Lebanese army, but they will not ship it to Lebanon until the hostilities end and there is some guarantees about how this equipment will be used. What Congress is being told is the conditions for this actually being shipped to the Lebanese army is that there oh would be a commitment from the government there that its military would be used, of course, to keep Hezbollah in check, that there would be a very verified vetting process in the Lebanese army, that they will not accept members of Hezbollah into their military.

Very interesting. The other condition is that there is a, quote "verified cease-fire," with Hezbollah pulling back beyond the Litani River so that, of course, there is that the buffer zone. The idea behind all of this is that to begin to provide the seed money, that initial equipment that could help the Lebanese army, which is a very fragile organization, exert control over the areas that are in -- where fighting is right now, get them into Southern Lebanon, get them part of the effort to get Hezbollah out of there, back beyond the Litani River.

But there is another step in the offing. The military is saying, the U.S. military, if this all works, the next step might be the U.S. military would, in fact, help train Lebanese armed forces -- Daryn.

KAGAN: So would this be separate, Barbara, from the international force they are talking about putting together through the U.N.?

STARR: It appears that in fact it would be. Now, of course, the U.S. position is that no U.S. military personnel would, of course, be on the ground in Lebanon participating in the peacekeeping force. But even before these current hostilities broke out, a number of high- level U.S. military people had gone to Lebanon, talked to the army there about what they need, what it would take to really -- they ere fragile anyhow, small, vulnerable -- what it would take to get them really up and running. So this is a part of a longer-term effort to get the Lebanese army in the position to be able to take -- use sovereignty, take control of these areas of Lebanon, which by all accounts Hezbollah is now in charge of and get them to be a credible military force throughout the country.

But of course the U.S. military, the Bush administration wants to make sure this is done very carefully so that they are funding, training and equipping a valid Lebanese army force, and not training people who may actually be members of Hezbollah with divided loyalties -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Barbara Starr, thank you for details on that.

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KAGAN: These are pictures that we've been getting into us here at CNN within the last hour. They come from Mesa, Arizona. Could be a break in one of the investigations into a serial shooter in Phoenix. Police are going to have a news conference in Phoenix at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. Arizona time. And two people actually brought in for questioning. So it will be very interesting to see what Phoenix police have to say about that.

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KAGAN: We're talking hot talk ahead, but you won't see it on pay-per-view.

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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was so hot, newscasters exhausted just about every possible word to describe the heat.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oppressive heat.

KAGAN: Blistering heat.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Excessive heat.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Punishing heat.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Scorching heat.

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KAGAN: I made it into a Jeanne Moos package! You know you've arrived when. OK, the heat wave that defies all description. Jeanne Moos ahead on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

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KAGAN: We're watching some very interesting developments coming out of Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona. Could be break in one of two serial killer cases that they've been looking into. These pictures -- two men taken into custody in Mesa. Haven't been charged with the crimes, but police should be able to explain later today at a news conference why they're interested in talking to them. The serial shooters' crimes include 36 shootings since May of last year. At least six people have been killed, 17 wounded. A 22-year-old woman who was shot and killed just this last Sunday is considered to be the latest victim.

We'll have the news conference for you live for you, 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. Arizona time, coming up later today, right here on CNN.

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