cease-fire at an emergency midnight meeting. this, as the blame game continues over who is responsible for an attack. we are live in jerusalem with the developments. russia firing back at accusations. it has been arming rebels in ukraine and might be culpable for malaysia airlines flight 17 going down. this, as fighting rages between separatists near the crash site. there is new hope that investigators will begiven access to the scene. we have live team coverage ahead. welcome back to "early start." i'm john berman. >> i'm poppy harlow in for christine romans. we welcome our viewers here in the united states and around the world. fighting overnight continuing despite the humanitarian cease-fire. hamas firing rockets to israel.

officials in jerusalem are denying responsibility for 16 deaths at a u.n. school in gaza. they are confirming there was an one that struck the courtyard, but say it was empty at the time. i want to bring in martin savidge. let's talk about the information on the ground. there may have been a lull in the fighting between the two sides. do you get that sense at this hour or not? it is persisting as heavily as it was in previous days? >> reporter: morning poppy. i wish i had better news. no, the conflict is continuing between both sides, israel and hamas. there were indications we may be inching to humanitarian pause. the israeli cabinet, saturday into sunday voted in favor of that and hamas rejected it firing rockets and mortars into

israel. then hamas said it was not ready to declare this 24 hours of temporary halt to violence. israel did not find that to be a genuine offer and, in fact, it wasn't. hamas continued to strike israel, 74 hit. the death toll continues to climb in gaza. over 1,032 palestinians have been killed in the conflict. it continues on. all the talk of trying to arrange a cease-fire, poppy? >> if we could briefly talk about what israel has come out in the last 24 hours, yesterday, saying yes, indeed, a mortar did hit the courtyard of the school in gaza used as a shelter. to say no one was in the courtyard at that time. there's a lot of discrepancy of who is responsible for the 16 deaths we saw there and many

more injuries. what else do we know about that? >> this was the most detailed explanation israel has given. it was horrendous. this stood out because, as you say, it was a u.n. school. it was a place where thousands of people thought they would be safe because it was the u.n. unfortunately, israel says it received missile fire from the troops in the vicinity of the school, responded with mortar fire. one shell landed in the courtyard of the school. they released video from a drone flying high overhead. hard to see clearly, but they say the imagery show the courtyard was empty. thereby, they can't explain the deaths and so many wounded. people at that time of day, the heat of the day would not be in the courtyard, they would be in the periphery to be in the shade and the camera doesn't show them there. it is a back and forth.

>> responsible for the downing of flight 17. the foreign secretary held a news conference moments ago and reiterated. we have detailslive. good morning. really outlining a position where by the russian side is following the part of reason and internationally agreed, diplomatically to try and resolve the conflict in the east of ukraine. it was kiev and the west that

consistently refused to bring the warring parties together at the negotiating table so they can sit down and talk to try to resolve the crisis in a peaceful action. as for the accusation that russia is supplying weapons across the border to the rebels in the east, he didn't actually deny it outright. he said we invited monitors for the organization in europe who have been active through this conflict, trying to assess what is going on on the ground. we invited them to two border check points between russia and ukraine so they can see for themselves the situation there. that was two weeks ago and they still haven't come. in the telephone call where the u.s. secretary of state said he hoped john kerry would ask his subordinates, presumably the government in kiev not to hinder the work of osce and waive

doubts to supplying militants in the east with weaponry. the position russia is taking is still that it is in the position of right and reason, that there are thousands of refugees crossing from east ukraine seeking refuge as a result of this crisis. as for russian shelling ukrainian positions, he's said look at the shelling we experienced from our side with ukrainians firing shells across the russian border into russia. it really is a very, very different picture from the one you will hear from u.s. state department briefing. >> not us, it's them. the war of words continuing with the overnight news conference. diana, thank you so much. the team of australian and dutch investigators on its way, as we speak, to the crash site of flight 17. this is going on as ukrainian

forces launch pro-russian rebels. nick paton walsh joins us by phone. the international monitors have said in the last 24 hours they have struck some sort of agreement with both sides. they are hoping for access with the territory because they didn't get it yesterday because of the fighting. what are the dutch and australian investigators on the ground expected to be able to accomplish today? >> reporter: we have traveled with them on the road to the crash site. accompanying the envoy. at this point, we are moving away from the check point. we saw the convoy continuing on what should be the road. [ inaudible ]

that check point -- saying there had been shelling. one said two flames hit the area recently. as we stood there, the time being, but we heard slowly shelling in the distance, the far distance, of course. things like this must be playing on the minds. [ inaudible ] within that convoy. quickly as possible. at times they are trying to make sure it happens. we know from the ukrainian government, they are moving to reclaim the crash site. poppy? >> absolutely, nick, you, your team, stay safe as you go with them. we appreciate the update. we'll get back with you later in

the show as you get closer and to the crash site. thank you so much. right now to this. here in the united states, there is a deal in washington to try to fix the veteran's affair health system. lawmakers from the house and senate scheduled to meet details for veteran that is waited too long to get necessary treatment. this measure is expected to pay for visits to other, private doctors. we are told billions of dollars will be earmarked to hire new doctors or to treat the veterans that need so much help. just days left for lawmakers to act before congress takes summer vacation. president obama has requested nearly $4 billion in emergency funds. he will not get that much. republicans, michele bachmann and stephen king spent the weekend at the border condemning the way the president is handling the crisis.

donations are pouring in to help the tens of thousands of children fleeing their countries in fear for their lives. >> these are our brothers and sisters who are suffering and many of whom are not being welcomed. >> national guards troops sent in to secure the border do not have the right to make arrests. the governor can give them powers to make arrests, but insiders say he most likely will not. european stocks are mixed in midday trading. asia, they ended higher. in the u.s., futures are pointing lower friday morning after a lower close this monday morning after a lower close on friday. also this, when you look at wall street investors, we have a ton of corporate earnings coming up and important readings on second quarter gdp and friday, the july jobs report. a big week ahead.

the u.s. and european union are expected to announce tougher sanctions against russia. that will come at a price. look at this map. this shows trade relations between a number of countries. further penalties hurt all three economies considering how tightly europe is linked to russia. the eu is russia's largest trading partner and russia is the eus third largest trading partner. german leaders warned over the weekend that coming sanctions could cost jobs in germany alone. 300,000 jobs directly depend on russian exports. we'll see what transpires there. sarah palin launching her own internet channel. this network promises access to the former vice president nominee and her supporters. it will cost you $9.95 a month of $99.95 for the year.

it includes commentary on important issues and behind-the scenes look at her as a wife, mother and grandmother. >> interesting to see how many people are going to follow her. >> indeed. she had a lot of followers on facebook and twitter. a lot of people who hang on her every word. a lot of critics, too. >> people who like and don't like her may pay. a walk on the beach ending in tragedy. a father and daughter not able to escape a small plane crashing from the sky. the latest developments on that, straight ahead. [ female announcer ] there's a gap out there. that's keeping you from the healthcare you deserve. at humana, we believe if healthcare changes, if it becomes simpler... if frustration and paperwork decrease... if grandparents get to live at home instead of in a home... the gap begins to close. so let's simplify things. let's close the gap between people and care.

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severe storm turned deadly along the california coast. 20-year-old man was killed sunday after being struck by lightning in venice beach. 13 others injured. this severe weather came out of nowhere. >> all of a sudden, a big flash of light and a boom. i felt like someone punched me in the back of my head. it went down the right side of my body. my calf locked up. i looked back and everybody else

was knocked over. a walk on a florida beach turned deadly a. georgia man was killed. his 9-year-old daughter critically injured. they were struck by a plane making an emergency landing on this beach in sarasota county. the 57-year-old pilot on the plane and passengers walked away uninjured. the ntsb is investigating. a family of five found shot to death sunday inside their apartment in maine. autopsies will be performed today. three children ages 4-12 were among the victims. police found a gun near one of the bodies and do not believe anyone outside the family was involved. the trial of a michigan man accused of fatally shooting an unarmed teenager on his front porch resumes in a few hours. the 55-year-old is charged with second degree murder.

defense claims he thought the 19-year-old was breaking in and was defending himself and his home when he shot her to death on his front porch. the prosecutors could rest their case this week. cedar point amusement park may shut down a ride until the investigation is complete. a cable snapped on the skyhawk swing ride. it happened saturday night. two people were injured. both were taken to the hospital and later released. we could learn if shelly sterling has the green light to sell the clippers to steam balmer. he bid $2 billion. closing arguments are scheduled in her suit seeking to sell the team over the strong objections of her husband and co-owner of the team, donald sterling. >> i'm sure we have not seen the last twist and turn. 47 minutes after the hour.

american journalists arrested in iran. we are live in iran with the story, next. in fact, there's a new victim of identity theft every...three...seconds. so you have to ask yourself, am i next? one weak password could be all it takes. or trusting someone you shouldn't. over 100 million consumers had their personal information stolen in recent retail store and online security breaches. you think simply checking last month's credit score can stop identity thieves now? that alone just isn't enough. but lifelock offers the most comprehensive identity theft protection available. as soon as the patented lifelock identity alert system detects a threat, you'll be notified by text, phone or email. ♪ your response helps stop thieves before they do damage to your identity... helping to keep you safe... with three powerful layers of protection. detecting threats to your finances, credit, and good name 24/7.

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♪ i voted for culture... ...with a 'k.' how are you? i voted for plausible deniability. i didn't kill her, david. and i voted for decisive military action. ♪ america, you cast your votes. now, go to xfinity on demand and select the people's hotlist to see this summer's top 100 shows and movies. i voted! all right. developing this morning, a devastating fire near the tripoli airport in libya. fighting between rival militias causing an enormous tank full of

fuel exploded. libya's interior ministry is asking residents living near the airport to evacuate. developing this morning, a second american aide worker in liberia testing positive for ebola. she was treating patients. it comes after her doctor noticed symptoms last week and isolated himself. the current outbreak is the deadliest ever of the 193 confirmed probable and expected cases. 660 people have died. happening in iran, four journalists have been detained, including an american reporter for "the washington post," his wife and two freelance photographers. they are not offering a reason, at least yet, for the arrest. let's bring in reza. this is troubling. they are well-respected

journalists, living, working in tehran. i know jason and his wife were working there a long time. what do we know about their condition and any reasoning why they may have been detained? >> not a lot of answers at this point, poppy. when it initially happened tuesday night, a lot of people were hoping it was a mistake by authorities and they would release them quickly. now, roughly six days have passed. a fear is growing that they were targeted by some sort of organized investigation. "the washington post" and two government officials confirmed the four individuals were arrested last tuesday night. three of them were iran iran-americans. a lot of people know jason. he's a well respected journalist with an exceptional reputation. his wife was also detained as

well as two other free-lance photographer who is have yet to be identified. what's troubling, poppy is six days have passed and authorities continue to say we'll give you more information. a lot of people, especially groups and fellow journalists are waiting for answers. >> so many questions and no answers from the government there. appreciate the update. thank you. coming up next on "early start," the crisis in ukraine. the sanctions getting ratcheted up are taking a hit. that's next. huh, fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. everybody knows that. well, did you know words really can hurt you? what...? jesse don't go! jesse...no! i'm sorry daisy, but i'm a loner. and a loner gotta be alone. heee yawww!

geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more. jesse?

♪ i voted for culture... ...with a 'k.' how are you? i voted for plausible deniability. i didn't kill her, david. and i voted for decisive military action. ♪ america, you cast your votes. now, go to xfinity on demand and select the people's hotlist to see this summer's

top 100 shows and movies. i voted! let's get an "early start" on your money. european stocks are mixed. asian ended higher. u.s. fewers pointing lower. kicking off a big week on wall street, investors are hosting major earnings. readings on second quarter gdp. the u.s. economy contracted 3% last quarter. also, we are going to get the july jobs report on monday. it will give a clearer look. now, turning to russia, russia is paying a much higher economic price than previously because of the situation and the crisis between russia and ukraine. more sanctions are expected from

europe and the u.s. expected to be ratcheted up. that is going to hurt the economy. it's unclear if it will matter to russian president, vladimir putin. will it pressure him to change course at all? we have seen their currency crumbling, there and raising the cost of imports. russia raised interest rates to 8% on friday to try to ease the 7.5% inflation they are seeing there. imagine what actual strong sanctions from europe might do. >> led by germany, that's going to matter a lot. >> if that happens. 59 minutes after the hour. "early start" continues now. breaking news overnight, united nations urging israel and hamas to stop the violence, calling for an immediate cease-fire. this, as the death toll rises

and finger pointing continues over who is responsible for a deadly attack. also breaking this morning, russia responding to accusations they have been arming pro-russian rebels in ukraine. this as the fighting continues nerimalation flight 17. investigators will be given access to the scene. cnn is with them. we'll have live team coverage of the developing story. welcome to "early start." i'm john berman. >> i'm poppy harlow. it is 5:00 a.m. on the east coast. it is monday, july 28th. breaking overnight, fighting between israel and hamas continuing despite the u.n. calling for a humanitarian cease-fire. hamas launching 70 rockets. the israelis conducting 40 attacks. both sides suffering