Crossing on the border with the israelioccupied area. There has been intense fighting between Government Forces and rebels. An israeli army officer was wounded when stray fire from the battle crossed the border. The israeli army said it fired back into syrian territory in retaliation. An independent body at the United Nations has accused fighters there syria and the Islamic State group of war crimes. Those behind the report accuse the International Community of failing to protect the victims of syrias war. Here is our report. [ explosion ] reporter for three and a half years syria and its people have been torn in half. Almost 200,000 people dead many civilians, and many forced from their homes, fleeing the bombs, the gunfire, the reported atrocities. There has been little free reporting of syrias civil war, the risks to journalists enormous. So the investigation of the u. N. Presents one of the clearest pictures of what syrians have endured. And its not a pretty picture. Syrian Government Forces are accused of deliberately targeting civilians, systematically committing murder rape and torture. In one example the u. N. Says forces were followed by deaths and detention. But the Syrian Governments primary adversary, the Islamic State group is found be equally culpable. The u. N. Says public executions is its signature technique. And with children often present. Syria is total impunity because crimes are committed each day from all parties, and to nobodys dealing with criminal responsibility for that crime. [ explosion ] reporter the report also highlights the plight of children across syria, killed and injured at the hands of Government Forces and recruited by rebel groups for active roles in combat. And then, there are the barrel bombs. For almost a year the government has used the barrel bombs as its weapon of choice against rebel fighters. The United Nations accuses the Syrian Government of dropping barrel bombs and using chemical agents in eight incidents. The International Community has completely failed in one of our most elemental duties, to protect the civilians. Most victims of this war are innocent bystanders to the destruction of their homeland. Reporter the u. N. Admits the previous seven reports havent stopped the atrocity. Investigators say they have drawn up lists of suspects ready to face justice. In the absence of any eminent resolution to syrias bitter and bloody war, they want their work to send a message to the perpetrators that they have been identified that justice will be pursued. Speaking of syria, the journalist that had been working in the syrian city of aleppo last year when he was abducted, and his family has kept his captivity a secret until last week, thats when he appeared in a video by the Islamic State group. And his mother issued this plea for his life. Im sending this message to you, the Islamic State, i am shirley satloff, by son stephen is in your hands. Stephen covered to the middle east to cover the suffering. Steven is a loyal and generous son, brother and grandson. He is an honorable man and has always tried to help the week. We have not seen steven for over a year and we miss him very much. We want to see him home safe and sound and to hug him. I have learned a lot about islam. I have learned that islam teaches that no individual should be held responsible for the sins of others. Stephen has no control over the actions of the u. S. Government. He is an innocent journalist, i have always learned that you, the kaylif can issue justice. Please release my son. I ask you to use your authority to spare his life. And follow the example of the profit mohammed and protect the people who live by the book. I plead with you to grant me this. So that was steven sotloffs mother speaking there. There was another american journalist who was freed after two years of captivity in syria. And he says he is overwhelmed by the support he received. I had no idea when i was in prison that so much effort was being expengded on my behalf. And now having found out, im overwhelmed with emotion. And one other thing, and that is that total strangers have been coming up to me and saying were glad you are back. Glad you are safe. President obama has been justifying his decision to approve attacks on Islamic StateGroup Fighters in northern iraq. He repeated his commitment to not allow u. S. Ground troops to return. Extremists threaten our citizens from abroad, as commander and chief, the security of the American People is my highest priority and thats why with the brutal terrorist group isil advancing in iraq, i have authorized air strikes to protect the people who are there. The constitutional deadline is two weeks away, but political leaders say that they are aiming to complete the government before that. Here is more from bagdad. Reporter iraqi politicians are scrambling to meet a deadline of september 9th to form a new government. But so far they havent sat down in the same room, because the different factions are trying to decide each on their own the priorities for any new government. When they come up with what they call a plan of action, then they will decide who gets what cabinet post. But they are pledging they will meet that deadline, which is increasingly important as the country continues the fight against the Islamic State group. General austin has arrived in bagdad for talks with the Iraqi Government going forward. They are exploring a wide range of military options with help from americans, as well as a growing number of other countries. Prime minister maliki, now a caretaker Prime Minister is also expected to be part of iraqs future as well. He will likely be offered the post of vice president. Al jazeera is demanding the release of its three journalists jailed in egypt. They have been in prison for 242 days. They are falsely accused of helping the outlawed muslim brotherhood. In june Mohammed Fahmy and peter greste were given seven years sentences. And Baher Mohamed received an extra three years because he had a spent bullet casing in his possession. In venice the famous Film Festival is getting underway. 20 films are competing for the grand price, the golden lion. Phil is there to tell us if there are any big names dominating this year . Reporter certainly. Every year you tend to have one theme that unofficial dominates, and there might be one or two. This year war and conflict is the big theme. A quarter of the 20 films talk of war and conflict. In fact the director of the festival said at the beginning that this was going to be one of the big themes. So conflicts from different times, different places. Movies like the big kill, talks about the u. S. And a drone officer who becomes disillusioned with war fair. There are movies about japan and world war ii. One movie is getting critics excited already. Thats called the look of silence. It talks about two people who go on the hunt for their brothers killers. Very excited, the critics are about this film. And out of 20 countries sorry 20 conning tenders, 4 film from the u. S. , 4 from italy, 4 from france, the rest of the nominations come from the likes of sweden, russia, china, and one film which could be israeli or palestinian, because there is a bit of a row over what country that film belongs to. Is there an early favorite, phil . Reporter venice is really, really difficult to predict. Thats because you look at it, it looks traditional, red carpet, blue sky celebrities, but there is a real fondness for films that are slightly edgy. Look at last years winner, it came from nowhere, and swooped right under the noses of the critics and took the top prize. It was a documentary, and it took the top prize. And because of that, people are very reluctanreluctant. The top film tonight is bird man. This film is about a movie star who once played a hollywood superhere you and can no longer get past that role. It is unusual that the big hollywood blockbusters take the prize here. The look at indonesian genocide that is expected to do very well. But there are films about people who lost their homes in the u. S. Economic meltdown. There is a film about pigeons sitting on a branch surveying the people below. So there are a lot of films to be watched and a lot of people walking that red carpet. All right. Phil thank you. Coming up on the al jazeera news hour translator its a pandemic, look around, all of my trees are dead and nobody is doing anything about it. They abandoned us. Well find out what is killing thousands of olive trees in italy. And well have all the details in sport. Hello again. The french government has called on air france to stop flights to sierra leones capitol because of the ebola outbreak. The World Health Organization has closed one of two laboratories there after a Healthcare Worker became infected. The across the region, the who says the outbreak is still out of control vrment in sierra leon, 910 people have caught the virus, 392 have died. And in nigeria there have been 16 cases and 5 deaths. Reporter evacuated from sierra leon on an emergency flight this doctor who caught ebola is now in germany. The lab where he was working, one of just two used by the who has been closed. Reports too that a third doctor in the country has died after contracting the virus. More than 240 Healthcare Workers in the region have been inflected half have died. Though u. N. Says the outbreak is having a devastating effect on already poorly resourced healthcare systems. Heavy death toll depletes one of the most vital assets as who estimates in the threehardest hit countries only one to two doctors are available to treat 100,000 people. Reporter last month the Prime Minister warned that they would lose their jobs if they failed to return to the country to help deal with the crisis. And in nigeria, the reopening of primary and secondary schools have been delayed a month due to the outbreak. Several confirmed cases have been reintegrated successfully. Closing the school for a month may or may not have an impact, and with the number of cases that we have seen, it is unlikely to be effective, although it may provide reassurance to the population that something is being done. Reporter theres no proven treatment or vaccine for the virus, but a few people have been given doses of the untested drug zmac but how effective it has been is unclear. Translator we have certain experimental drugs at the moment at the laboratory. It has not been tested properly. We have had talks with companies, but we also have to talk to human Rights Groups to see if its possible to use the experimental drug. Reporter the outbreak has now killed more than 1400 people in west africa, but it is not under control. Even when it is contained the u. N. Says the effects will be felt for years to come with so many experienced and dedicated Healthcare Workers lost to the virus. Taking you live to gaza now. That is the scene right now where as you can see people have been celebrating. The ceasefire that was announced one day ago between israel and hamas after 50 days of conflict, and that looks like its [ inaudible ] yeah, who was riding on top of the car. So very celebratory scenes out of gaza. Lets bring in suna now for an update on all of the sports news. Thank you very much. There has been joy for young and old at the u. S. Open. The 15yearold provided a shock at the modos. Reporter this was the moment that katherine became the youngest match winner at the u. S. Open since 1996. [ cheers ] reporter at the age of 15 and 152 days she knocked out the 12 seed. She cannot claim her 60,000 prize money, however, as she is an am clur amateur. Im still in shock. I went in thinking play as well as i could possibly play, and obviously i did well. Reporter the world number 1 began defense of her title this year, with the victory over fellow American Taylor town send. Theres always a little nerves going into the first round especially as a defending champion, so i feel like i served the way i wanted to serve, and hopefully i can just build from this. Reporter the wimbleton champion defeated her opponent 61, 60. This player is playing in her second u. S. Open, but has already gone further than last year. I dont want to set a specific, you know, goal to reach a certain round or anything like that, because every round is so tough here, but i always know that i can do well. Reporter nobody has won more matches this year than ana, this serve claims her 48th victory. Injuries have limited victoria in playing matches, let alone winning them this season, but the twotime Australian Open champion did win in three sets. Roger federers wasnt the only sports lesson at his match. Nba great Michael Jordan watched from federers box. He had only met jordan on monday despite having posters of the bobbler on his wall as a teenager. European football governing body uefa has responded to israels and belgiums 2016 qualifier. The game has been rescheduled to march due to security concerns in the country. Israeli club completing in the u. S. And competitions have been forced to play in fixtures abroad. Reigning Asian Champion winners have been knocked out of this years competition. They lost to western sydney in the quarter finals. The australians had a 20 aggregate lead. Injury time strike meant it finished two on the night to the chinese, but as it was 20 over the two legs, western sydney went through on away goals. Australian side will face fc seoul in the semis. Penalties were needed. He failed to net any of their spot kicks as seoul won 30. Arsenal hosts turkey in the second leg of the Champions League on wednesday. Ars ars ars arson wenga will be missing due to a suspension. Manchester united signing their new player, has claimed he did not want to leave real madrid but was left no choice by the board. The record fee of 78 million was announced on tuesday. His side lost 40. The dutchmen have already suffered a defeat in his first two premier league matches. It is very disappointing. And it is for the fans very difficult to believe, still believe, in the philosophy of loui, but, yeah. You have to do that. You have to do that. Because im here. And im here to build up a new team, and a new team is not built in one month. Outafrica have beaten australia in 7 wickets in a oneday international. Centuries helped south africa reach the target with 20 balls to spare. It was part of a triseries with zimbabwe. Thats all of your sport for me. Farah will be here soon. Thank you very much. Ancient olive groves are slowly being destroyed in southern italy. Experts are saying there is no way of stopping the destruction. Here is more on the threat to the prized oil exports. Reporter for this man, this usually the time when a year of hard work bares fruit. He is one of thousands of Olive Growers in the Southern Area of italy, the nations bigger producer of quality olive oil. But this year his business is suffering. Translator its a pandemic. Look around, all of my trees are dead. And nobody is doing anything about it. They abandoned us. Reporter this is what is killing his trees, a bacteria common in the americas, but never seen before in europe. Its difficult to know how the bacteria reached italy, but its clear how it spreads. This is the carrier of the bacteria, its a small bug. It looks harmless, but transfers the bacteria from tree to tree, which eventually kills them. So far 800,000 trees were contaminated, thats 10 of the regions total. The cost to producers, 300 million. Scientists are trying to dane the probably cutting down infected trees, some 500 years old. But they say prevention is better than the cure. Translator this bacteria has been known in the American Continent for 150 years, but there is no cure or prevention. You can try to contain the disease, but in europe there is no system of quarantine for plants coming from abroad. Reporter the disease has not yet influenced the quality or price of olive oil from the area, but it is spreading fast, and farmers Say Something has to be done soon to avoid these centurys old tradition going dry. Thanks for watching the al jazeera news hour. Im back in just a moment right here with much more news. Thats coming your way. Stay with us. Peace in gaza after 50 days of conflict with israel, we counting the cost to both sides who are both claiming victory. This is al jazeera, live from our headquarters in doha. Also coming up i have instructed my lawyer to appeal this decision, which i consider totally without merit. On the defensive imf boss is being formally investigated by french authorities. Syrian forces and fighters from the Islamic State group are accused of committing war