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Gazans Scramble for Limited Aid; Joe English is Interviewed about the Crisis in Gaza; Eunice Cho is Interviewed about the Everglades Detention Camp; Closing Arguments in Trial of Dentist Accused of Killing his Wife. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired July 29, 2025 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[09:30:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Says 52 aid packages have been airdropped today into Gaza in coordination with Arab nations. This comes as new video shows Palestinians scrambling to aid trucks and as U.N. officials are calling the situation there a worst-case scenario of famine. Israel has eased some restrictions on food supplies, but much more is needed.

This morning, President Trump spoke about Gaza.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPORTER: What will you say next to Benjamin Netanyahu?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're working together. We're going to try and get things straightened out for the world.

Thank you very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: CNN's Nic Robertson is in Israel, near the border with Gaza.

And, Nic, I understand you've been -- been looking for signs of aid trucks or supplies getting in. What have you seen there this morning?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, John, there's a couple of places for aid to get into Gaza. There's the northern border crossing, where we are here, and there's one further south. And we've been here for a number of hours. We haven't seen any aid trucks crossing into Gaza while we've been here.

What we have been hearing is a lot of military activity. You might be able to hear the fighter jet coming on station above me. Twenty minutes ago there was a big explosion just in the distance there. You might just be able to see where we might be able to pick it up on our camera. While I've been talking to you there, John, that impact, just hearing the sound of the strike there, the fighter jet, the impact. We've been seeing a lot of that happening over the past few hours here. And it's a -- it's a salutary reminder, if you will, that the IDF, as

they say, is continuing to fight Hamas, that these humanitarian corridors and tactical pauses they're putting in their fighting are just that. They are localized and tactical pauses, they say from 10:00 a.m. in the morning till 8:00 p.m. in the evening, they will put the pause in the fighting.

But what we're seeing and witnessing along the northern border here now are a lot of impacts from fighter jets. We're hearing heavy machine gun fire, light machine gun fire. So, what does that mean? Well, it means if you're trying to bring aid in through the north of Gaza, it's a -- it's a much more tricky prospect. The IDF said yesterday that 260 trucks worth of aid got into Gaza, that 200 trucks worth of aid was distributed inside of Gaza.

But if you effectively take out, for example, the northern border as a route of access for aid, therefore that limits the amount of aid can get in. And what the U.N. is saying, 600 trucks a day is what's required. And that U.N. body you just mentioned there about unfolding famine, 20,000 children, they say, have been treated for acute malnutrition in the past couple of months. So, it is a mixed picture, but it's a picture where the military activity is really underway and constant from what we're seeing, John.

BERMAN: Yes, we can see the explosion. Again, that smoke right behind you, showing the difficulties there. And the math is tragic.

Nic Robertson for us in southern Israel. Thank you very much.

Erica.

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: The U.N. World Food Programme and UNICEF are warning time is running out now to mount a full-scale humanitarian response in Gaza.

Joining us now, UNICEF emergency communications specialist, Joe English.

And, Joe, I'm not sure if you were able to hear the reporting that we just heard from Nic Robertson, who is there sort of along the northern border, but -- but Nic noting, and we could see the explosion behind him, he has not seen aid trucks go in, that these pauses, right, are localized, they are tactical. Are the pauses actually allowing you to get more aid in? How would you classify it in this moment?

JOE ENGLISH, UNICEF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST: Yes, look, I think we have -- we've long been clear that what we need to be able to operate at the scale needed to address the severity of the situation, as it is now, is a ceasefire, is a complete end to the fighting, to allow us to scale up. We know that within 30 days we think we could reach 98 percent of malnourished children across The Strip. So, we could turn this situation around and reach every one of them.

But it's not a course of treatment that just lasts a single day, or a couple of days, or even a week if we're going to treat these kids. It takes six weeks of this high protein, highly fortified peanut paste to make sure that they can not only survive, but then also, you know, we're not in this situation again in a month or a couple of months.

HILL: Is there any indication from officials that that is something that is even being considered to allow you to get in enough of that aid to start that treatment and be able to continue it?

ENGLISH: So, look, we've had discussions previously. And when there was the -- the threat of the polio outbreak earlier in the conflict, we did see these pauses and we were able to get in and we were able to vaccinate children at scale. And we haven't seen another case of polio since then. And so, we know that it's possible. But as I say, these localized pauses, especially when fighting continues, makes it incredibly difficult. But it's not just that. That's not the only challenge.

We also need to be able to get audio visual supplies in. We need to be able to get security supplies in. Anyone who works in logistics knows how complicated it is, but we have experience doing this all around the world.

[09:35:03]

Obviously, in Ukraine, with John a couple of years back, he's seen how UNICEF reaches children wherever they are, but we can only do that if parties to the conflict allow us access.

HILL: As we look at where things stand, obviously airdrops have begun. We just heard from France earlier today saying they would begin airdrops. I know that is not always the most efficient method of delivering aid. There are also real security concerns about it.

I was struck by something that Chef Jose Andres, who, of course, founded World Central Kitchen, wrote in an op-ed for "The New York Times" this week, saying, "we need to substantially increase production of hot meals. Unlike bulk food supplies," he writes, "hot meals have little resale value for organized gangs."

Could this be one step, right, and perhaps a more effective way to feed more people?

ENGLISH: It could, you know, and also getting in fruits and vegetables. I think any parent would look at the supplies that people are being provided with now, which basically are enough to keep them alive. But -- but now we're seeing that's not even the case. You know, no one would want this for their child. They want a healthy, varied diet, fruit, vegetables. You know, what we're seeing now is every parent's nightmare because parents are watching their children waste away in front of their eyes. They're watching their children die from something that is entirely preventable. We know how to prevent malnutrition. We know how to treat malnutrition. We just have to be allowed to do it.

HILL: We also heard -- we heard from Prime Minister Netanyahu, who said there is no starvation. There has been much pushback on that, understandably, including from President Trump, who said, and I'm paraphrasing here right now, but he said yesterday, basically, the pictures don't lie. He also alluded to these GHF sites, which were set up in are run by

Israel and the United States, that they're not working. He's saying that he sees things surrounded by fences. It shouldn't happen that way. He said, "we're going to set up food centers where people can walk in and there are no boundaries. There will be no fences."

Hearing these comments from the president, does that change things for you at all in terms of what you believe could happen to get aid in, seeing the president react in this way?

ENGLISH: Yes, certainly. You know, we're calling on absolutely everyone with any power. And the president of the United States has more power than anyone, you know. But we have to see the response, make sure that it's adhering to the humanitarian principles. The way that we operate, the way that the U.N. operates, it's for a reason. It's so that we don't see these kind of scenes.

As I say, we have this experience for 80 years all around the world. And so, you know, come to us, work with us. We have a 30-day plan. We want to be able to roll that out. We want to be able to save lives. You know, we -- we -- we do it all around -- around the world.

HILL: Joe, I only have time for a yes or no. Do you believe those comments from President Trump signal that he does not see the GHF method working?

ENGLISH: I think when you have more than a thousand people killed around a site, you know, I would say that's not working.

HILL: Joe English, really appreciate your time and all your efforts, of course, thank you.

The latest legal battle for the controversial migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades. Why civil rights lawyers say some detainees are being held without charges.

Plus, as we continue to follow the breaking news this morning, new developments just into CNN. New details, new photos about the shooter who killed four people in a New York City high rise.

That's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:42:43]

BERMAN: This morning, a federal judge is demanding answers about who was running the controversial detention center in the Florida Everglades. In a hearing, he asked for documents to clarify who was actually in charge of the site dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz." More than 100 people have already been deported, some without charges.

A new ACLU lawsuit claims detainees are being pressured to sign deportation orders without legal counsel, violating their constitutional rights.

With us now is Eunice Cho, an attorney with the ACLU.

Thanks so much for being with us.

How can there be confusion over who's running the sites? You call this unprecedented.

EUNICE CHO, SENIOR ATTORNEY, ACLU NATIONAL PRISON PROJECT: That's right. Well, what we are seeing in "Alligator Alcatraz" is unprecedented. There are hundreds of people who are being held at the facility who haven't been charged with either federal immigration or state criminal law charges. They have no ability to access the immigration courts. And it's unclear what legal authority they're being held at the facility. This is not something that we've ever seen before. And it is -- surely raises many constitutional violations.

BERMAN: So, the ACLU is alleging a lack of legal counsel -- a lack of access to legal counsel, and a lack of due process. What due process are they afforded, in your mind, by the Constitution?

CHO: Well, anyone who's being held in state custody has the right to challenge their -- their detention under the government. And the immigration law actually has many specific ways in which people can challenge their detention in custody. That includes being able to petition the immigration courts for bond.

What is happening here at "Alligator Alcatraz" is the government is saying that no immigration court actually has power or jurisdiction over people at that facility. So, we're seeing attorneys trying to file bond petitions for people who are being held at the facility, being turned away, having their hearing canceled, and not being able to actually go to any court to request release from detention.

President Trump, when he opened the facility, said that the only way out of this facility is to be deported, and that is not the case under our law. People have the chance to contest their detention. They have the chance to contest their deportation.

And what is happening at this facility is that the government is basically locking down any opportunities for people to talk to their lawyers, be able to use the courts in order to challenge their detention and deportation.

[09:45:02]

BERMAN: What's happening when you try to talk to clients there?

CHO: Well, when people try to talk to clients, they as -- as we've said in our complaint, they've been met with armed checkpoints. They're not able to actually schedule conversations with their clients. They're met with -- they're given email addresses where emails are bouncing back or never responded to. You know, attorneys are hitting a brick wall when it comes to trying to actually contact their clients who are in custody at this point.

BERMAN: You say that the court needs to move quickly here. What's the danger of a process that keeps on grinding away? CHO: Well, I think the danger here is that we all know that the

conditions at "Alligator Alcatraz" are incredibly dire. People in custody have talked about the horrendous conditions that they're living under. Members of Congress have gone in and -- and seen that for themselves as well, and have reported on the way and on the treatment of people who are in custody.

But we're also seeing that we -- we're hearing from detainees that officers are going around the facility, trying to pressure people to sign deportation orders and admits these very, very difficult conditions. And without being able to talk to counsel, people are simply giving up and agreeing to be deported.

Now, that is something that also, again, as we raised in the hearing yesterday, is something that we all should be concerned with. You know, the government can't simply pressure people into that, especially without being able to speak with counsel. And these are all reasons that the court needs to act very quickly to resolve these issues.

BERMAN: Counsel Eunice Cho, thanks so much for being with us this morning. Appreciate it.

We are standing by for closing arguments in the murder trial of the Colorado dentist accused of poisoning his wife's protein shakes.

NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders opens up about his battle with cancer that he kept private for months.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:51:28]

HILL: Intense rainstorms have led up around Beijing, but the deadly flooding they caused continues. The video showing those streets just turned into rivers as the region there deals with fast moving high waters and those dangerous landslides. State media reporting at least 30 people have been killed in recent days. Officials say dozens of roads are damaged and that is complicating the ongoing rescue efforts.

Football legend Deion Sanders opening up about his private battle with cancer. The player turned coach announcing he had his bladder removed after doctors found a malignant tumor. Deion Sanders said that the surgery there did not leave any traces of cancer. He also said he'll be back coaching at the University of Colorado and urged others to stay on top of their health, also joked about wearing a diaper, like his grandson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEION SANDERS, HEAD FOOTBALL COACH, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, We've got to see who -- who has the heaviest bag at the end of the night. Like, this is -- it's ridiculous. But I'm making a joke out of it, but it's real. Like, it is real. It is real. It is real. So, if you see porta potty on the sideline, it's real, OK.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Obviously we wish Deion Sanders the best. And it really is extraordinary to hear him speaking openly like that.

In the meantime, we're standing by for closing arguments in the murder trial of James Craig, the Colorado dentist accused of killing his wife with poisoned protein shakes. Both sides have rested their case. The defense did not call any witnesses. Craig did not take the stand. The prosecution called 48 witnesses over ten days.

CNN's Jean Casarez has been following this case from the very beginning.

What do you expect today?

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, let's talk about that. Closing arguments are going to happen soon. There's going to be a camera in the courtroom so we can watch them all. This is a summary of the evidence on both sides. The judge is allowing 45 minutes for both sides -- 90 minutes for both sides. So, the prosecution is going to take 45 minutes. Then you'll have the defense. And since they have the burden, the prosecution will then end it.

But, you know, there are six charges here. We always talk about the count one, which is premeditated murder. But there's solicitation to commit first degree murder, which he tried to get the lead investigator, according to prosecutors, killed during the course of the investigation, solicitation to commit perjury, he allegedly tried to get inmates who were going to leave the jail to plant notes on his wife's intention to commit suicide, and solicitation to commit tampering with evidence. So, he's got a big, big hurdle here.

But the defense tried to turn this around with the final witness, the lead investigator for the prosecution. They were able to get a hold of Angela's journal, her diary, in a storage unit. Here is what she said in that journal starting in 2009. "I feel so lost and so alone. The further into the process we get, the less able I feel to forgive. I looked at Jim today and I couldn't feel any love. I feel abused, worthless, unwanted and unloved. Where do I find myself? He loves me. How could he do this to me if he really loves me? He doesn't think I'm good enough. He doesn't want me. He'd rather be with someone else."

And in 2018, more recently, "all I want to do when that happens is crawl into bed and cry myself to sleep. I haven't figured out yet if I should just give in or push through."

And they are saying it was intentional suicide on the part of Angela Craig. And that is what caused her death.

But James actually wrote a timeline when his wife had crashed at the hospital, saying how he did everything he did, but she was the one that wanted it.

[09:55:05]

He says, "she said she was just going to end her life, begged her not to do that, but she said she couldn't get a divorce. So I started researching. I researched and researched different poisons and how fast they kill and how painful it is in the dosage. We came up with four. At this point I had a change of heart. I was no longer going to try to back her out of it."

And he even goes so far as to say she was trying to -- she said it was her idea. Let's take the antibiotic out of the capsule, put the potassium cyanide in it, and as backup, do a syringe in case it doesn't work because I want to go fast and I don't want pain.

BERMAN: Again, closing arguments set to begin shortly. Six charges in total, you say? Be interesting to see the prosecution, which ones they lean into with their closing arguments.

CASAREZ: Yes.

BERMAN: Jean Casarez, thank you very much.

CASAREZ: Thank you.

HILL: Thanks for lovely morning, JB.

BERMAN: Thank you for being here.

HILL: Any time.

BERMAN: Not only is it a pleasure working, but I get to hang out for a few hours too, which is the bomb (ph).

HILL: I love hanging out with JB.

BERMAN: All right, this has been CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "SITUATION ROOM," up next.

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