Conscription squads send Ukrainians into hiding

Hello. A month after Ukraine introduced a new conscription law, Jean Mackenzie witnesses the impact it's had on young men and their families. In Israel, Lucy Williamson explains why the issue of aid deliveries to Gaza is proving divisive for Benjamin Netanyahu's national unity government. We're also looking into the evolving scientific debate about animal consciousness, and how the US became a top tourist destination.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Israeli government split over aid pause

The Kerem Shalom crossing point is a key entry point for aid into Gaza. Credit: Nathan Frandino/Reuters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved Israel's six-person war cabinet, days after the exit of two centrist members. The move allows Mr Netanyahu to avoid the thorny issue of who might replace the two men, as far-right members of his government coalition had been asking to be brought in. But tensions within the government run deeper than that.

What's the latest disagreement about?

Far-right government ministers have reacted furiously to a scheduled daily pause in fighting, between 08:00 and 19:00 local time, along a key route running north from the Kerem Shalom check-point in southern Israel, where aid is waiting to be delivered.

What did they say?

Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described “whoever made this decision” as “evil” and “a fool”. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that humanitarian aid helped keep Hamas in power and risked putting “the achievements of the war down the drain”.

What's the significance of the controversy?

It highlights the increasingly fraught situation of Israel’s prime minister, caught between the costs of his vague and so far unattainable military goals of dismantling Hamas and bringing home the hostages, and the political allies he relies on to stay in power.

War in Gaza: Israel's military said eight of its soldiers have been killed in a blast in the Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah, the deadliest incident for the army in the conflict since January.

THE BIG PICTURE

The inner lives of animal species

There is very little research into how animals experience the world. Credit: BBC

Not all of Charles Darwin's ideas have proved as popular as the theory of evolution. His belief that animals are conscious in the same way humans are has long been shunned. But now, the emergence of new evidence could mark a "sea change" in how scientists understand animal consciousness.

And finally... in London

The Royal Air Force has released cockpit footage filmed as its jets flew over central London during the annual Trooping the Colour parade. The event, a celebration of the King's official birthday, saw Catherine, Princess of Wales, making her first public appearance of the year.