70 killed in three days. Plus. Im harris in la paz bolivia, where modern technology is being used to do more than improve the quality of life of the citizens of this country. We begin in iraq where the u. S. Carried out a new round of air strikes against fighters from the Islamic State group. U. S. And iraqi forces bombed areas where they are trying to protect the haditha dam. Its the first time the u. S. Hit factoring in the superiedominated sunni dominated area of anbar. Defense secretary chuck hagel commented on the situation. First the Iraqi Government asked for support in the strikes. Second it was the Iraqi Security forces on the ground who conceived of the operation. They, too, the Iraqi Security so far as air force is conducting strikes. Haditha dam is important facility for iraq. Lets go to jane arraf in baghdad for us. What is the latest on the battle for haditha, and why are the americans focussing on haditha . Haditha is important infrastructure, the dam, the secondlargest in the country. The appearance is its western anbar, a swath of territory to the syrian border. The u. S. Air strikes backed by iraqi aircraft are focused on strikes between haditha. Its the area that the United States believes is key to breaking down the operations of the Islamic State group. On the ground equally important the Iraqi Security forces are fighting with some of the tribes. Its an essential component in beating back the Islamic State group. And it has not happened in other places. Really, a few firsts we are seeing in the fighting. The first strikes in the sunni heartland since the troops pulled out. What is the role of the sunni tribes in this . Well, they seem to be playing an essential role on the ground. They are backing Iraqi Special forces and regular army. The two dont have the best of relations. The sunni tribes in many areas in anbar and the Iraqi Security forces. We have been fold by the office that the anbar governor was slightly wounded when hit by mortar shrapnel, whilst overseeing the fighting. We spoke to tribal leaders. He brought 1,000 fighters to the front, and he managed to take part of the town 15km south. So that fighting is raging and wouldnt be as successful as it seems to have been so far, if the tribes havent been involved. Its a tough fight, a lot of explosives, the Islamic State group putting up a fears fight and a complicated situation. Not all the tribes are supporting the Iraqi Government forces. Thank you, jane arraf reporting live from baghdad. People in syria, Government Forces launched a series of air strikes on the Islamic State group in rafah, and there has been fighting. Rebels are in control of towns in the area. Omar al saleh reports. Reporter fierce battles in the country side. After controlling the only Border Crossing in the area, opposition fighters want to cease more military posts, belonging to the syrian armys 90th brigade. Translation our aim is to control a number of posts, we liberated three important post already. The fighters want to cut off the government supplies route between the western side of damascus, and secure a life line for forces under siege for months in the area. They aim to bolster the control on the western side of daara. Its not an easy fight. Government troops are Still Holding on their positions, meaning the battle could track on for days or weeks. The rebel gains made recently is providing the fighters with a feeling of momentum. The goal of the battle is to open a route to the country side. In other parts of syria Government Forces gain the upper hand, and had beens the syrian army is battling rebels. The government rooted rebels from homs to the syrian capital. It is making gapes to hamas. Syrian jets are bombing aleppo and others. In areas in and around the capital damascus, the army struck deals with local rebels, ending months of seems. Damascus was more secured three years ago. The main opposition, the Syrian Coalition is weak and divided, unable to convince powers to provide weapons to turn the tide against Government Forces. As for president bashar alassad, his perhaps are clear. Hes started a new 7year term in office with a promise to end the war and defeat what he calls the Terror Campaign against his country. Lets go to ukraine, and the latest on a ceasefire tested on several fronts. There has been explosions near don everybody and shelling hit a donetsk, and shelling hit a building in mariupol. Harry fawcett is there and sent this report. Reporter this is what the current ceasefire looks like in eastern ukraine. Shelling coming into the area around donetsks international airport, hours after bombardment of pamariupol to the south. For the first time tanks took up defensive positions on the city border, preparing for more of this. Overnight in this spot came a major brief of a ceasefire that took effect on friday. The government insists that the ceasefire is in force. The firing and shelling is a violation of conditions. The situation is under control. Over the last 24 hours, we didnt have information about civilian casualties, we are not talking about a cancellation of the ceasefire agreement. Faith in the ceasefire is diminished. Its terrifying not just for the people, but the whole city. Reporter a few minutes later the sound of distant artillery pushed people back further. In the last few minutes there was a loud thud, and the atmosphere changed. Soldiers ran around. We are not clear what happened, but obviously everyone here is on edge. Officials from the organization are charged with monitoring the ceasefire, this is a reminder, if noded, of the magnitude of that task. A reminder that everywhere in this contested country, the conflict is not over. Lets get an uch date from harry. What is the situation . Is it quieter than a few hours ago . Very much of so. There are now military personnel. Less military. The situation is difficult to judge. There was heavy artillery on this position. More shelling around donetsk as well. We are hearing from kiev, from an aide to president petro porashenko, that there will be n. A. T. O. Assistance in terms of military equipment advisors, weaponry coming in from five n. A. T. O. Countries, the United States, france, poland, and its not unexpected. Its hard to say if that will change the balance of power, certainly in the short term when Ukrainian Forces are receding in the face of a heavy onslaught. What you heard there is that the kiev government is saying that the ceasefire is holding, despite what the residents say, that theres no ceasefire at all. What are the terms of the ceasefire. What would constitute a red line for both sides . Well, its being worked out. The ceasefire was based on a loose framework. There is some flesh put on those bones at the moment. The idea that what we saw here overnight does not constitute a breakdown of ceasefire is hard to fathom. It shows that there is an interest on the ukrainian side to maintain the ceasefire, because they have been taking so much punishment. One thing the government said is no civilian casualties confirmed as a result of the breaches. Thats different to what the local government says. They say a woman was killed from shrapnel wound. Theres doubt about that, because there was another incident where a car was shot up and a woman reported killed in that incident. Its not clear if they are linked. Thank you harry fawcett, live in mariupol for us. Lets check in with paul brennan who joins us from eastern ukrainian, donetsk. You were at the airport and saw heavy shelling. Yes, we went out to the airport because the ceasefire was supposed to be in effect. That means a ceasing of firing. It wasnt ceasing around the Donetsk International airport where a small contingent. Ukrainian forces have been holed up, surrounded for months. We heard a couple of bursts of explosions. We believe they are from a rocket launcher, and we heard a volley of small arms fire, and the occasional heavy machine gun fire as well. Its clear that the ceasefire is not Holding AroundDonetsk International airport. I am sure that both sides will trade accusations as to who started it first, or who opened up first, but the fact is that the guns have not fallen slept, and it does not bode well. As harry said, the government in kiev accepts there has been violations, but insists that the dole is in effect, and in the coming hours it will be crucial. It will be the real test as to whether the situation will calm down at all or whether it will be more aggravated, particularly when evening comes, that seems to be when the worst of the gup fire takes place. Thank you, paul brennan live in donetsk, eastern ukraine. Amnesty international has given a damming assessment of the conflict saying both sides showed a disregard for civilian lives. The organization has documented incidents of shelling, abduction, torture and murder. Satellite images is said to show a heavy build up of armory from russia. We joined by Amnesty International guest, saying that armed groups loyal to kiev are beginning to use more brutal tactics. Its not just a political issue, its a significant legal issue, affecting how one characterises the conflict. As we now call, in the light of day, compelling evidence of russian involvement of which we only added a fresh lair. We are now calling this an International Armed conflict. It means that russia had to respect the laws, that they must respect the obligations and cease its cooperation in support, separatist forces who are committing war crimes on the ground. Russian forces that are operating there are not always distinguishable from the separatists that they are fighting alongside. The majority of shelling resulting in civilian casualties is coming from the ukrainian side. They are concerned with separatist forces, confirmed stories documented over a series of months that continue, of torture, ab ducks and executions at the hands of forces. That is the primary concern report to the separatist movement. We are seeing the same pattern of abuses. We see the same of proUkrainian Forces fighting along side the regular Ukrainian Forces with a danger of replicating an area that ukraine takes back, lawlessness, abduction and killings seen in rebel held areas. Theres more to come on the al jazeera newshour. [ music ] musicians use the power of song to warn about ebola. Some west african nations take action to stop its spread. Plus, limited power, contaminated water and sewerage seeping into the sea. Coming up in sport. The latest as nico rosberg and Lewis Hamilton go head to head in formula 1 michael grimm. Formula 1 grand prix. First to libya, where the newly elected government is expected to be sworn in on sunday in tobruk. A rival government was sworn in leaving libya with two seats of power and more fragmented. Reporter he is one of libyas two leaders, sworn in in tripoli. Hes the product of the germ National Congress, the Previous Parliament that should have disbanded after jooup elections. The vote in the house of representatives reappointed former Prime Minister and asked him to form a government. They are based 1,000km away. The germ National Congress left libya with two members. Violence brought libya to a stand still, dividing the country. On the tripoli front, alhasy and his government seem to be religiously conservative. They call themselves the town of libya. In tobruk, the house of representatives are seen as moderate. Hes been battling militias, and calls islamic radicals. The violence spilled over into the capital tripoli, where they fought for control of the airport, which is in ruins. The trouble include allegations of meddling, with air strikes blamed. They have been accused of sending a plane, and qatar providing support. Allegations they deny. Its been three years since the death of muammar gaddafi, and libya is facing its worst crisis yet. Al jazeera continues to demand the release of its three journalists contained in egypt for 253 days. Peter greste, Mohamed Fadel fahmy and Baher Mohamed received long sentences after a trial seep by many observers as politically motivated. They are appealing convictions. U. N. Secretary ban kimoon raised the case with the egyptian president. You can join the cam pain by using the twitter free aj staff, and find out more by going to aljazeera. Com, and the special page there. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas threatened to end a unity agreement with hamas, for the way it governed gaza. Mahmoud abbas accused hamas. He wants a Single Authority and single system of rule. The comments are unjustified. Mike happena has more from the occupied hannah has more from the couped west bank. Strong crit sting of Mahmoud Abbas about hamas. Accusing hamas acting against members in gaza in recent weeks and months. Theres been the arrest of hamas members within the west bank. Hamas representatives saying that more than 30 people have been arrested by the palestinian authority. The response has been muted. This is what the spokesperson for hamas had to say. Translation the statements maid by Mahmoud Abbas against hamas are not justifiable. As the reports he relied on are false, untrue. It kerr tails agreat iment of victory. These are no reward. She stood up to israeli bell imerance. In order to ensure the implementation of terms of consideration. The spokesperson said it would be better if Mahmoud Abbas dealt with such matters, directly, rather than waging a war as they put it, through the media. Calls for unity made in the meeting of the arab league foreigners, which Mahmoud Abbas is attending and the opening statements, the members making clear that palestinian unity was a precondition, attempts to realise a palestinian state are to bear fruition. Palestinians in gaza are in desperate need of humanitarian relief weeks into the ceasefire. Israel destroyed much of the strip. What cant be repaired due to limited supplies. Andrew simmonds reports from rafah. Reporter delivery runs like this are as crucial now as they were in the war. Aid agencies are providing a life line for tens of thousands of people. This is free drinking water, filtered and safe. Those returning to damaged homes, when the water supply is working, theres no electricity often to pump it from tank and wells. Gazas only power station has been hit repeatedly by israeli shells. The fuel store and Treatment Plant was destroyed with generate and turbine damage. Full repairs will take a year, and the temporary fix will so far a fraction of power needed. It will only give gaza 60 of its power. Some of the short form made up by supplies from israel and egypt. Before the destruction the plants werent billing enough. New its seize. Without a power supply the sewerage is untreated. The coastline is polluted with outlets like this, pumping out raw sewerage 24 hours a day. Aside from that, theres a health risk from bomb damage to suers. This area was filled with raw sewage, sinking deep though the sand. Nothing could be done to repair the pipe or treat the sewerage for a month. There are fears that underground Water Supplies for a populated area may have been contaminated. We are talking about raw sewage that infiltrated to the aquifer. It need the someone to come today, not yesterday, to take samples from our resources and give us a solution for contamination of our resources. Reporter that is one urgent node of any. The fighting may have stopped. Little else has changed. People have no option but to cope with the hardship. I spoke to pierre, the commissioner of the United Nations relief and works agency in cairo, hes been asking the arab league for 47 million in aid, money he says is desperately needed. This is not the money for longer term reconstruction, its money for immediate support to people in terms of life repairs that have been damaged. And providing cash for people relating apartments whose houses have been destroyed. This is what we are focussing on. The reconstruction will come later, requiring more money than that. This is the focus, clearly its a strong welcome. Theres a lot of attention to the message, concrete commitments will come and we can continue to engage with all the countries involved. Some members of the arab league donated a lot to gaza, are you optimistic that youll get the money, not just the pledges, but the money will come forward. There has been contributions, significant amounts have been donated. Through qatar there has been corrections from other arab states, and they are engaging in the context of meeting here, to have contact with saudis, and c cue queuaties. We had reports that significant amounts had come from arab counties, theyll have to shoulder again a significant amount, and part of the international communitys response. Of course, in gaza with 12,500 staff, the experience of many, is we are well positioned to help to deliver some of the muchneeded emergency response, and when it comes to reconstruction to be a key actor in that regard. To your knowledge, are humanitarian supplies getting into gaza. When things come through, theyll ease the blockade. Is it happening . It is crucial in the immediate phase is that the ceasefire is not the only ceasefire. It is important to end the killing and the construction, but i cant imagine that they would return to the preexisting conditions under the blockade, making the life of civilians