hello, everyone. >> a big welcome to those of you watching in the u.s. and around the world. this is cnn's continuing coverage in the crisis in the middle east. coming up for you this hour, all sides have agreed to a 72 hour cease-fire in gaza. this should take place in about one hour for now. the big question is, will this hold? both sides say it's up to the other party. >> saved from ebola?

the experimental serum that might save the lives of two u.s. patients stricken with this deadly and contagious disease. >> stranded, tens of thousands of russian holiday makers struck abroad. why some are blaming western sanctions on moscow. >> this is the big moment, or at least perhaps another big moment. we have one hour countdown now, away from a scheduled beginning of the cease-fire in the middle east. >> there are glimmers of hope that this could lead to a lasting peace. it is supposed to be a humanitarian truce lasting 72 hours, and right now, it's just after 7:00 in the morning, in israel as well as gaza, you're looking at live pictures right now, we're told that this cease-fire was proposed by egypt and it was agreed upon by the israelis and all the palestinian factions, including hamas. now, it comes with the conflict

now in its fourth week, and both sides under increasing international pressure over the mounting civilian casualties. each side says the success of the truce depends on the other. >> the onus is on hamas and the other terrorist groups in gaza, will they violate this agreement? and if they do, i think it will be clear to everyone who is responsible for the continuation of the balance. >> this is created mainly by the efforts of the palestinian delegation, including hamas. so we are the creator of this cease-fire, and we will be all including palestinians and islamic jihad, committed to that, unless the israelis violate that. we hope they will not violate the cease-fire this time. >> the major international voices want to see this hold. washington is throwing its support behind this new

cease-fire proposal. the security adviser says it could lead to a more substantial truce, if hamas goes along with it. >> the burden is going to be on hamas to demonstrate it will live up to the cease-fire, there's an opportunity to see if they can get to a more durable cease-fire. now, it's been weeks of violence going both ways between hamas and israel. the current conflict in the middle east has left nearly 2,000 people dead. >> a vast majority of those killed are civilians, mostly palestinians. palestinian officials say more than 1800 people have been killed in gaza, and again, the u.n. doing its own calculations and reporting saying that among those debts. 70 to 80% of them are civilians, nearly 10,000 people in gaza have been wounded in the fighting. >> there's been damage on the other side of the border as well. 64 israeli soldiers have been

killed over the past few weeks and three civilians have also died. >> we wan want to get the latest from jerusalem. matthew chance is there, he joins us live. what's going on. >> in terms of what's going on inside gaza, over the past couple hours. we're told from our colleagues on the ground in gaza city, it's been quiet. remarkably quiet, considering that over the past 29 days, that area, the palestinian territory has been subject to a ferocious barrage of artillery strikes, air strikes as well. israeli troops on the ground conducting operations to destroy tunnels. even during the seven-hour humanitarian pause that was declared yesterday there was still a lot of violence, at least 18 palestinians being killed throughout that seven-hour pause, which was designed to allow humanitarian

supplies into the war ravaged gaza strip. this new proposal seen as the next big chance for a more permanent cease-fire, of course, it's going to be 72 hours long. it gets underway in just under an hour from now. it was brokered in cairo between egyptian negotiators and representatives of palestinian factions, israel saying it accepts this unconditional cease-fire without preconditions. what's interesting about the proposal, it calls on all the parties to come to kui roar to try to hammer out a more permanent deal to prevent a return to the violence we've seen. >> to hear both sides talk, they're sort of claiming it's up to the other one to see if it

holds. both of them seem worried. just out of curiosity, this was the same agreement that hamas rejected in the past days, what made hamas complaining and agree to this cease-fire at this time. t's difficult to say. tihink we would have to ask hamas about that. egyptian negotiators have not for the first time come up with a deal which in the past israel accepted, but hamas rejectsed. i think we've reached a point in the conflict where both sides don't really see what further there is to gain from continuing to fight. israel on the one hand. i think this is the main reason israel is going along with this. it's declared it's destroyed all or most of the tunnels it will certainly diminished if not wiped out the ability of palestinian militants to fire

rockets into israeli territory. although they're still managing to make that happen on a sporadic basis. the military aims that israel was trying to achieve have already been achieved. from a palestinian point of view, i think that hamas has to show the people of the palestinian territory of gaza that this isn't going to go on forever, and they can achieve something from it, the palestinian demands for a permanent cease-fire, they want the israeli troops to withdraw from the gaza strip. they want an end to the block age, shortages of water and food. they want the borders open again so people from the gaza strip can freely travel. if they can achieve any of that i think they'll see it as a success. >> wesh going to watch and wait

with you in jerusalem, thanks so much. >> we've been listening to our reporters over the last 12 hours say, even with the cease-fire in place, there's a lot of exce skepticism on both sides. >> sadly, it's become a way of life over the years, but if you're on that border, you live with the constant threat of rocket attacks, a lot of people are too afraid to leave their lombs. sarah sidner spoke with two mothers who worry the fighting may never end. >> my heart is shaking. >> mary has been praying for quiet after living for weeks with a mother's greatest fear. the thought of something terrible happening to her four children. the thoughts come, with the sounds of rockets that fly over head here so often, israel has installed an iron dome missile

defense system near her neighborhood. >> how many times have you taken cover summer. >> all days. all day, all day we have boom in the air. the children is scared. >> even with the iron dome nearby, she says everyone here knows it doesn't work 100% of the time. and they have seen the consequences of a rocket attack. a neighborhood boy just made it home after three weeks in the hospital, when a rocket exploded nearby. after weeks inside, she takes a chance and lets her children out to play. as the first cease-fire of the day was announced, we travelled closer to the border, troop movements and tanks stir up dust. there was quiet here for a time. >> there's no noise now. i can't even hear a drum, which is usual. >> gaza is just a short walk away.

adele has lived here since the 1970s, this is the worst fighting she has ever seen. >> i mean, the past few weeks we have artillery and cannons on both sides of the kibbutz. i don't know where they are, but they make a racquet, it's deafening. >> and yet she stays. taking us on a tour of rocket pocked streets. and lastly a look at the spot where her 77-year-old neighbor was severely injured when a rocket got to him, before he got to safety this kibbutz is so close to the border, the iron dome can't work fast enough. most residents here have left. >> i've been sleeping in here since the end of june. >> few sleep well on the border now. both adele and mary recognize that is especially true if you are on the gaza side. >> does it disturb you what you

are seeing in gaza with all the children and mothers killed there? >> oak, of course. i think it's a disaster, what's happening there. and it is a disaster what's happening here. >> a disaster these two mothers fear will happen again and again. the desire for revenge too great for either side to completely overcome. sarah sidner, cnn on the israel gaza border. >> interesting viewpoints there. we're going to continue to cover the crisis in the middle east. we approach the beginning of the 72 hour cease-fire in about 50 minutes. a highly infectious disease continues to plague africa. >> it's very scary, many people wonder how they test for it or treat it. there may be a glimmer of home in the fight against the ebola virus. and the serum that doctors are trying on two american people.

the 100th anniversary of the start of world war i, more on this coming up. saying good-bye to an american victim of firearm violence who became a leading advocate for gun control. we reflect on the life and legacy of james brady. ups is a global company, but most of our employees live in the same communities that we serve. people here know that our operations have an impact locally. we're using more natural gas vehicles than ever before. the trucks are reliable, that's good for business. but they also reduce emissions, and that's good for everyone.

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a second american stricken

with the ebola virus is now flying back to the united states. later today, nancy writebol will join fellow relief worker kent brantly for treatment at an atlanta hospital. meanwhile, the nigerian doctor who cared for a man who flew to lagos and died of ebola is now infected himself. the doctor treated patrick sawyer, a top liberian official who died last month. in the u.s., ebola test results of a patient in new york city will not be back for a day or two, they do think it is unlikely he has the virus. >> we're very confident in that our work with the federal, state and local authorities will lead to a prompt evaluation of this patient and we'll be able to find there is a more common cause of the fever and symptoms

the patient has. >> according to the world health organization and here's a look on your screen at some of those stats there have been 887 deaths from ebola and more than 1600 cases attributed to the virus since the outbreak began in march. most are in guinea, that's where the outbreak has killed 358 people. in sierra leone, the death toll is now at 273 people. 255 lives claimed in liberia. and one death in nigeria, all of this according to the world health organization. a little more information about that ebola has a fatality rate of up to 90%. there may be some hope. kent brantly was walking under his own power into the hospital. he was treated with an

experimental serum that just may be working and could provide hope for others that have been infected. dr. sanjay gupta reports. >> last thursday, dr. kent brantly thought he was going to die. his condition worsening by the minute. he called his wife to say good-bye, he also knew just hours earlier, a secret highly experimental drug had been delivered to the clinic, the serum was delivered in sub-zero temperatures and allow the viles to thaw naturally before administering. when it arrived, brantley told his colleague nancy, who was also sick that she should have the first dose. as his condition deteriorated, he asked for writebol's now thawed dose.

dr. kent brantly would be the first to try this serum. doctors describe what happened next as miraculous. within an hour of receiving the medication, his symptoms began to change. >> i hope it was as impressive as described, if it is that bodes well for that particular product. >> the next morning he was able to shower on his own before making the 6 thorks mile transport to the u.s. watch as he walks off the back of the u.s. he became the first patient infected with the ebola virus to ever set foot in the united states. tuesday his colleague who also received the serum, will join

brantly at emory university hospital. >> again, that was sanjay gupta reporting. even if the two americans recover, there's a lot more research needed before the serum could be safely used to treat ebola. it's not an airborne contagion, it is deadly, 90% of people who catch it do not survive, you have to come into contact with the bodily fluids of the people inspected. >> there's a lot of fear associated with this, but it's not something you can catch randomly in the air. this virus continues to spread somewhat unchecked. we should note that officials are trying to do what they can to contain it, our david mckenzie tried to drive into the most infected area in sierra

leone, he found a virtual ghost to town. >> we're on the road, driving into the worst ebola epidemic in history. all the shops are closed. one or two people walking on the street. when i've been here before at this time, the streets would be jam packed you could barely move. >> the government shut down the entire country for a day. hammering three countries, the outbreak is worse here in sierra leone. ebola is now spreading faster than they can contain it. the fear is spreading with it. for months, the public response has been dominated by denial and rumors while ebola silently kills. they are tightening access to the roads that help spread the

disease. and they're getting the word out to calm the panic. like the rest of the nation this man stayed at home today. the elders put out the word to stay at home, we need to respect that, he says, we need to stop ebola but ebola keeps spreading. affecting more people in wider areas than ever before. at best, it could take months to stop it. there are no guarantees of that. >> the whole country is shut down? >> yeah, the whole country. >> it's a national issue, the whole country. >> why do people need to pray? >> well, because of this problem we are encountering, this ebola issue. >> we've been through a series of checkpoints, each one is stricter than the last. along this road, ebola is everywhere. it's through this point where it is the epicenter of this

unprecedented epidemic. it's there that the biggest battles are being fought. >> we'll continue to follow that of course as well. still to come, some of the biggest landmarks in britain turn off the lights. >> that is, except for a single candle flame. we'll tell you why after this short break. we never thought we'd be farming wind out here. it's not just building jobs here, it's helping our community. siemens location here has just received a major order of wind turbines. it puts a huge smile on my face. cause i'm like, 'this is what we do.' the fact that iowa is leading the way in wind energy, i'm so proud, like, it's just amazing.

for over 19 million people. [ alex ] transamerica helped provide a lifetime of retirement income. so i can focus on what matters most. [ female announcer ] everyone has a moment when tomorrow becomes real. transamerica. right now you're looking at live pictures in gaza, where the time is 7:23 in the morning, just about -- a little under 40 minutes until the official start of this 72 hour cease-fire that has been shaky at best. both sides saying it's up to the other in order to actually make it happen, but again among a lot of international pressure, israel and the palestinian factions have agreed to a

cease-fire for the sake of civilians, we've seen many casualties in gaza, 1800 plus killed. and 9,400 wounded as well as 60 soldiers killed in this month-long battle. >> we have reporters all over the region, we'll keep our eyes close over the next hour to bring you the latest developments. for this moment, though, we move to the asian region. heavy rainfall continues to pour across southern japan, as the second tropical storm of the week nears the island. >> parts of japan have seen more rain this week than they have any other time in a century. >> that's insane. >> our good friend and neighb neighbor -- >> it's nice to have you with us.

remarkable amount of water coming down in japan. the population is about 330,000 people, quite populated. the rains literally have not stopped since saturday afternoon when they began, and the amount of rainfall we're approaching one meter in spots across this region. tremendous flooding. folks in the city have been advised to evacuate because of the threat of rivers bursting their banks in the next several days. 78 children stranded in a summer camp because of the mountain landslide. and the pattern remains soggy, the numbers again mind-boggling.

from saturday into monday afternoon, we've seen 800 millimeters or 32 inches of rainfall. if you're watching us from the pacific northwest in the united states, the city of seattle has that dubious distinction of rainfall every day. they get 37 inches in a month. 600 millimeters, that's equivalent to what london sees in a year. fifth wettest august on record, it's only the fifth of august. the second wettest august on record, shionomisaki. that's from a tropical depression that moved through this region in several days. it is a category two equivalent

at this point, winds about 100 miles per hour, 160 kilometers per hour, the models continue to suggest japan with everything we talked about. we'll get another round of potentially just as heavy rainfall from friday into saturday. flash flooding, a major concern. >> even if you look at that projection, it moves east or west, it's going to hit japan. >> the winds not the concern at this point. >> 32 inches for the fish days of august? >> yeah. >> unbelievable. >> pedram, thanks very much. britain's most famous landmarks went dark monday night to mark 100 years since the start of world war 1. this is quite dramatic. the london bridge going dark and here a single candle outside 10

downing street. a solitary candle was left on as a symbol of hope. >> yes. >> i remember where i was when ronald reagan was shot, i was in sixth grade. and james brady he suffered in that assassination, he has died. he was shot in the head during the 1981 assassination. he was partially paralyzed. he had a severe brain injury, he later became a prominent gun control advocate. >> it should be noted he was a hero. he jumped in front of the gunman and tried to sacrifice his own life. the brady bill requires background checks for gun purchases. brady's wife reflected on her husband's story of survival in

an interview just a few years ago. >> shot by a deranged young man. had severe brain injuries. >> jim was pronounced dead at one point? >> yes. they read his obituary on the news. and then he made a miraculous recovery. >> much in the way that gabrielle giffords has made this unbelievable recovery? >> she too, there were reports i believe that she had not made it. >> right. >> and my heart just sank, and i thought oh, no, but they were -- luckily they were incorrect. you remember the other day when we heard that? >> said been there. >> been there, done that. >> wish we hadn't. we know for her, it's going to be a long hall, but i know she's a fighter and she's going to do great.

>> that just shows you watching the two of them together the impact and toll it takes on the spouse. the loved ones, it's a lifelong commitment to care for somebody. james brady passed away at his home monday, he was 73 careers old. >> not before he left an imprint here in the u.s. we'll get back to our top story, bring a live report from jerusalem, we are counting down the latest israeli/palestinian cease-fire set to begin 30 minutes from now.