the skies are temp rarery quiet over gaza, after both israel and hamas agree to suspend an aerial assault to allow in humanitarian aid. emotions are running high following the death of four palestinian children playing on the beach. hello, welcome to al jazeera america, live from doha. also coming up on the programme -- >> a fight at kabul airport. a dawn raid forcing a number of

flights to divert. how much corruption lay at the heart of south africa's $5 billion arms purchase. former president meb ebbingy is to answer questions. prosthetic limbs from a 3d printer are giving hope to saddam's victims of war - we see how. a temporary pause in the fighting in gaza came in effect for the next five horse. israel agreed to stop pounding the territory and palestinian fighters are supposed to not fire rockets. this is the scene in gaza right now. it was brokered by the united nations to allow badly needed supplies into gaza. a week of israeli bombardment killed 227 palestinians, many

civilians, one israeli died. among the dead are four palestinian children, dying on a beach on wednesday during on israeli air strike. let's go to our correspondent stefanie dekker, live at the rafa hospital in gaza. firstly, this u.n.-brokered humanitarian pause that israel and palestinian factions signed up to. what is going to happen? >> well, that's taking effect right now. actually for the next five hours. what we expect to happen, what we were told by the u.n. is we'll have time to bring in humanitarian supplies, fix things like electricity lines, water pipes, sewerage, things that have been ruined during the bombardment. it has been intense. a lot of people left their homes, they don't have access to water. some 70,000 people have not had access to water for a week. let me tell you where i am at

the rafa hospital. it's on the border of israel. i'll step out of frame and show you that this hospital was hit a couple of days ago on the fourth floor by an israeli air strike. the israeli calls it telling the patients and doctors to evacuate. there's eight international solidarity activists trying to prevent it happening. it's owned by hamas, which is perhaps why the israelis are trying to target it. it has patients who can't be move. not only does it have patient injured from the war, but car crash patients, normal incidents in hospital that you find, there's another development on the humanitarian pool, just to update you. the israeli army confirmed that 13 fighters tried to cross into israel through the crossing. that's in the south. that crossing is closed. that is the main crossing that brings in goods and supplies here. we have not heard from the u.n.

how they'll get around it. perhaps they are negotiating to see what they bring in. the security breach led to the border being closed. it's the main entry point. and how aid will get in here. we can see from the live scenes of gaza, that it looks quiet there today. stark contrast to yesterday's events. absolutely. what we witnessed was incredible. it happened in front of our eyes and two hotels. i was sitting in my room, and i heard a strike come in from the sea. loud, close. i stood up and saw a shack on fire. there was another strike that came in, 100 metres in front of us. i took a picture. that picture shows four boys running away from the smoking shack. then i heard another boom and in the end what happened is one

little boy was taken away on a stretcher from the shack, but three other boys bodies were found up the beach, where they tried to run for safety. it seemed that they were absolutely targeted once they moved away from the area of impact. the israeli army says they were targetting hamas terrorist operate is, civilian casualties were a mistake. what we witnessed. - this is an incident that was high lighted, in front of our eyes. there were other incidents all the time. this is something that shows quite how intense and how murky sometimes these situations are, and we have more details in this report. >> reporter: they had been playing in the shack on the beach. now the four cousins, 11-year-old mohammad. 10-year-old akhad, another 10-year-old and 9-year-old are

dead. "my back is broken", the raw agony of a father. the attack happened in broad daylight in front of our hotel. i took this picture after two strikes on a beach shack. you can see four boys running away. then there was another bang. this picture shows people carrying a body on a stretcher from the shack that was originally hit. the other bodies were found up the beach, where they had run for safety. "god should punish israel", mohammed's mother cries. the boys were quickly buried, many asking why innocent children are targeted by the israeli army. we asked the army for rehabilitation and they issued this statement:. >> reporter: but that strike took place in front of two heels filled with journalists.

no one knows what was in the shack. there was no secondary explosion suggesting weapons were kept there. we witnessed children running away from a strike, and ending up being killed anyway. >> there was anger and fear on the other side of the border too. the funeral of israel's first casualty. the victim was killed by rocket fire near the crossing into gaza. he was taking food to israeli soldiers. diplomats in europe have been busy trying to stop the rapidly rising number of deaths in gaza. diplomatic editor james bays has this report from brussels. >> reporter: the u.n. is hoping this will stop for a few hours, a vital pause to get humanitarian aid in to help the people of gaza. but it will only bring temporary

assistance, intense efforts under way to agree a lasting negotiated ceasefire deal. >> the israelis and palestinians do not want to live like this. they deserve to live in peace and security free from fear. that's why we'll encourage diplomatic efforts to restore the ceasefire, and support egypt's efforts to bring this about. >> european leaders have been meeting in brussels. at the last minute the crisis in gaza was added to the agenda of the summit >> how concerned are you? >> it has to be a source of concern. this is a conflict that will end by negotiation and discussion. >> everyone is concerned about what happened. at the end of the day, we need a ceasefire. >> it is important to have as soon as possible the - finding a peaceful solution, especially a ceasefire on both sides. >> the main point of the meeting

though is to start deciding who should get the top jobs in the european union. one is the replacement for katherine ashton, a high representative, effect, europe's foreign minister. a hotly tipped contester is this man. >> reporter: here they are expressing concern about the mounting death toll in gaza, a permanent ceasefire will rely on diplomatic efforts in the region. the last egyptian-brokered ceasefire was not properly negotiated with hamas. those countries that have leverage with the group will be important. in particular, turkey and qatar. >> a boy from the u.s. beaten by israeli police returned to his home in florida. he was on holiday in the west bank when detained. amateur video showed two israeli

police officers punching and kicking him. he was at a demonstration for the killing of his cousins, mohammed. >> you can keep up to date with all the developments in gaza on the website. we have video analysis and a live blog at aljazeera.com. >> let's move on to other news. 14 tunisian soldiers have been killed in an attack close to the mt charm by area. two groups of gunmen attacked. one of the armed fighters was also killed. the taliban claimed responsibility for attacking afghanistan's international airport in kabul. security forces killed four taliban fighters after targetting the military side of the airport. jennifer glasse reports. the taliban attackers used

rockets in the early morning assault, setting a car ablaze. afghan forces raced to the scene, trying to find a way to dislodge the gunmen from a building under construction. >> the attacks started with rocket fire from the buildings towards the airport. then foreign and afghan forces fired from their positions. >> the attack went on for hours. the airport was closed and flights diverted. the airport has separate civilian and military sections. the ladder used by the afghan air force and n.a.t.o. troops and aircraft. >> the attackers blew up this truck. this is the third and sustained attack on kabul airports this month. it comes at a delicate time for afghanistan. a review of the 8 million votes cast in the presidential election is set to start this week with the aim of naming a new afghan president before the end of august.

>> the former president of south africa, mbeki is to testify into an inquiry into a billion dollar arms deal. it has been subject to accusations of corruption. it was signed in 1999 and wasn't tended to modernize south africa's defenses. the current president jacob zuma was among those vetted. the case against him was dropped. his former aid was gaoled for soliciting a bribe. companies from germany, italy, sweden, and france were involved in the matter. bae, british firm, denied allegations of bribery. more from johannesburg. >> thabo meb ebbingy was president when the arms deal was seened. it was a $5 billion upgrade to

south africa's hardware. it meant the country would have new frigates, helicopters and fighter jets. the deal and the people involved has been dogged by corruption allegations. two served prison terms for accepting bribes from international arms companies, including a former financial advisor to the current president. charms against zuma were dropped before he became president. it's been 15 years since the deal was done. lawyers representing opponents to it at the inquiry say sav caps deserve to know the truth. >> we are hoping people will be held accountable. the public - it's for the public to know what happened. so we can investigate these things, and make sure that people who were responsible for a wrongdoing during the arms deal itself, will be held to t

account. south africans were told it would create tens of thousands. some shacks were destroyed here last week, as the people living in them were evicted. they have no land, and no homes. they said the $5 billion arms deal was a waste. >> it would be better if the money went to something, for housing. people at the top. where bribes were given, that could be the start. with people under them. the governing national congress has been embarrassed by corruption allegations. it's this deal from 1999. it caused the a.n.c. the most damage. there's a commission of inquiry into the arms deal, secrets could remain buried. >> when president zuma receives a report, he has the power to keep part our all secret. still ahead - the u.n. says it is alarmed by the tens of

thousands of yemenis displaced by ongoing fighting. rescue victims speaking of abuse, hunger and filth at a children's home in mexico.

let's get the headlines. these are the top stories on al jazeera. a u.n. brokered halt has come in effect. the 5-hour pause allowed aid to move into the territory, following is week of israeli air strikes killing 227 people.

afghan security forces killed men after an attack. gunmen used rockets, targetting the military side of the airport in kabul. the former president of south africa mbecki is to testify into an arms deal the government negotiated 15 years ago. it's been subject to accusations of corruption. three al jazeera journalists spent 201 days in an egyptian prison. they are accused of helping the outlawed muslim brotherhood. peter greste and mohamed fadel fahmy were gaoled for seven years, last month. baher mohamed was given seven years and received an additional three because he had a spent bullet in his possession, which he picked up at a protest.

al jazeera demands the journalists be freed. >> to syria, four people have been killed and another 22 wounded from mortar fire. video posted on social media claims to show opposition fighters. the town is important because of its procximity to damascus. president bashar al-assad says western and arab states will pay the price for supporting opposition groups in the country. he's been sworn in for a second 7-year term of syria. the united nations is alarmed at the displacement of tens of thousands of people in yemen due to ongoing fighting between houthi rebels and government forces. 15 million are in need of aid. 3 million have no access to clean water or adequate sanitation.

8 million have no access to health care. one million children under the age of five are malnourished. 10.5 million are struggling to get food. relief efforts fear the situation will worsen as fighting intense fizzes. we have this report. >> reporter: that family left their town after houthis took over their town. they live with their mother. >> translation: we lived in an area in the middle of fighting between the yemeni army and the hutus, we were in the center, but we got out. >> reporter: yemen's government said 35,000 have been forced out of their home. the numbers are higher. many are living in difficult conditions in schools like this one, in the capital sanaa. classrooms are places to stay, the desks floormats to sleep on. some of the displaced said it

gets cold, and all they have for warmth are plastic bags. >> we don't have furniture here. we have no blankets. we don't have proper toilets and nobody cares about us, except some charitable people. >> when it's time to break the ramadan farce. there's not always enough for everyone to eat. they have not seen support from the government. some say that they are too proud to go out to seek help. >> i'm not going to complain to anyone except god. the state should be the one looking after us. >> yemen's military lost control of northern amran, and there are reports of heavy fighting. tribesman are resisting the rebel advance. the shias are demanding more rights. they say their fight is against al qaeda-linked fighters and an unjust government. the president's government insists that hutus are trying to terrorize sunni tribesman who defend their land and accuse

iran of supporting the fighters. the military is supporting other hard-lined groups, including the arabians in the peninsula. >> both the fighters and the army are against the shia fighters. for those forced out of their homes due to ongoing fighting, all they can do it pray for peace. >> iraq's prime minister says his country must not de split. sunni rebels captured large parts of the north and west in an attempt to carve out an islamic state. prime minister nouri al-maliki called on government members to put aside differences and is resisting pressure to resign. >> all arab countries are on the brink of turmoil and chaos, as gangs and terrorists gather together to form a power targetting security and

stability. >> well, this ricky video shows troops advancing on the city. fighters are clearing the area. the stronghold of supporters of former leader saddam hussein. police rescued 450 boys and girls from a once well-regarded children's harm. the house was raided after complaints from parents presented from removing their children. we have this report. >> reporter: for months, years, parents say they suspected abuse, but deprived of access to their children, they could only guess from the bruises or smuggled notes. >> several times when i visited her i found her beaten. she had cuts on her hand and a scar from being hit. she told me she had fallen. when they came to visit, they

said someone was there. my daughter would give me notebooks, where she'd write and tell me that way. yes, they were treated badly. >> about 600 people were freed in a police raid on tuesday. among them six babies, 154 girls, 2 8 boys, 50 women and 109 when. these were the conditions they were living in. authorities say the house was infested with rats and children forced to eat rotten food. 10 of the victims were so malnourished police couldn't tell how old they were. it wasn't just the squaller. parents say the children were held against their will, subjected to sexual abuse, and some forced to beg for money on the streets. >> the actions of one person to another, actions where minors were treated like property, really it's a case that had the greatest impact on me, revealing

inhumane acts. >> the house of the big family had been running for around 40 years. it was highly regarded. this is muma rosa. she was speaking here in 2012. >> translation: house wives are watching soap operas, gossip iing on the street corners -- gossiping on the street corners and don't take care of the important things - the house and the kids. >> reporter: parents were advised to take kids there for hyperactivity or care for them when they were unable to. >> this was something known, denounced on multiple occasions over a long period of time. and nothing was done. so we have to ask why nothing was done. who was protecting the owner and his home. and in hose whose interests. >> the owner and eight workers

have been held for questioning. an investigation is under way. two days after the police raid, the scale of abuse is still only just sinking in. russia says new economic sanctions imposed by the u.s. are inappropriate and will complicate relations. barack obama says moscow failed to cease tensions with ukraine. patty culhane has more from washington d.c. >> reporter: behind the scenes the obama administration is trying hard to convince reporters that the new sanctions are significant. but if you look at the fine print, the two energy companies, the two financial companies are only cut off from long-term debt financing. the eight defense companies - they could have assets closing, and u.s. businesses cannot do business with those companies. there are four individuals and two groups. the president is trying to find a message, saying it's opening

up sectors of the russian economy. he's not taking the step just yet. >> hundreds of people have been leaving eastern ukraine for russia and fighting between separatists and the army continues. 2,500 people left the eastern city of donetsk, and 500 are expected to depart within the nost 24 hours. >> france and mali signed a defense agreement. the deal formalises french assistance in a fight against al qaeda-linked groups in the north of the country. france sent hundreds of troops and military advisors to secure the area. emergency services helicopter crashed near a school in the south korean city of g wong ju. it was returning to the fire services headquarters at the time of the crash. now, a small company in california is using cutting-edge technology to give sudanese amputees a chance at a better life.

survivors are motivated to believe that nothing is impossible. >> this is daniel. he's 16 and lives in the nuva mountains of sudan. two years ago a sudanese air strike severed his arms. he was left nearly helpless, unable to feed himself. he told his family he wished he had died. >> this is rick. running an install nonprofit called not impossiblism. >> we look at things that seem to be border line absurd this haven't been solved. evaluate it and say that shouldn't be that way, let's change it. >> after reading about dan yum, he flew to sudan with 3d printers, laptops and spools of plaque. his goal was to build daniel an

arm. >> 3d printing as a technological phenomenon coming to the main stream, it's a massive tool. >> reporter: he set up the equipment in a hospital run by an american doctor. he modified an existing design for a prosthetic arm. it has no batteries or silicon chips, and can be repaired in broken. appropriate for a remote region. daniel's new arm changed his life. for the first time in two years, he can feed himself. >> not impossible's motto is help one, not many. he taught the doctors to op rate the printers and left them behind. they are printing prosthetic arms for dozens of amputees. >> it's amazing what happens when you give stuff away. the goal was to leave a village

with the tools, technology and know how. >> reporter: technology, will and compassion, a mixture proving many things are not impossible. >> that story and the rest of the news can be found on the website at aljazeera.com. . >> they are the emerging world powers and they're combining their economic hats. the bricks alliance hopes to challenge the western dominated world bank and international monetary fund. it's the inside story. >> hello, i'm a he libby casey. brazil, russia, india and china