Israel deploys ground troops to Gaza border as conflict escalates

The Israeli military has stepped up the conflict with Hamas as ground forces have bombarded Gaza. [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What The World is following Israel deploys ground troops to Gaza border as conflict escalates [An Israeli artillery unit fires toward targets in Gaza Strip, at the Israeli Gaza border, May 13, 2021.] Credit: Ariel Schalit/AP Israel-Gaza In what has become the [most violent conflict]( between Israel and Hamas since 2014, Israeli military officials said [ground forces have bombarded Gaza]( with artillery — but have [not entered the territory](. The escalation of the conflict, now in its fifth day, comes as more than 100 people have been killed in Gaza, while Hamas has continued to fire rockets into Israel. Ireland Officials in Ireland said Friday it had shut down the IT systems for the Irish Health Service because of a “[significant ransomware attack](." It remains unclear how widespread the disruption is to the health system, but a Health Service executive said it has closed down its systems as a precaution. The cyberattack [comes on the heels]( of a ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline in the US this week that shut down gas delivery across the East Coast. Colombia Ongoing anti-government protests in Colombia have resulted in the [deaths of over 40 people](. Colombia’s human rights ombudsman said Tuesday that 168 people [have been reported missing]( amid a brutal police crackdown. A proposed tax bill sparked the protest, but demonstrators continue to take to the streets even as the bill was withdrawn. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [Amsterdam bans fossil fuel ads from its metro]( [Amsterdam's subways will no longer feature ads glorifying fossil-fuel-dependent activities like cheap flights and gas-guzzling cars.]( Credit: Courtesy of CS Digital Media People passing through Amsterdam’s busy metro system will no longer see ads for greenhouse gas-intensive products such as gas-powered cars and cheap flights around Europe. Last week, the Amsterdam City Council instituted a ban on these ads in the city’s subway system, [which advocates hope will pave the way for larger, more comprehensive ad bans]( across the Netherlands and beyond. [The world celebrates Eid — including some of The World’s listeners]( [Muslims pray in a mosque during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr holiday, a feast celebrated by Muslims worldwide, in Grozny, Russia, May 13, 2021.]( Credit: Musa Sadulayev/AP Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr — marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan — this week, for the second year during the pandemic. For some, mosque closures, family separations and other restrictions due to COVID-19 in many countries have made Eid more subdued this year. But some people are observing Eid in new ways, or quietly at home. We asked The World’s listeners to talk about what this time means to them and their families and to share their traditions and inspirations. [Here's what some of them told us.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright spot The use of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have also been contributing to plastic pollution around the world when not disposed of properly. Dutch graphic designer Marianne de Groot-Pons was concerned the problem and created a new biodegradable mask. The disposable mask has an added perk: [You can plant it when you're done using it]( 🎧 🌼 [Designer Marianne de Groot-Pons' biodegradable face mask.] Credit: Courtesy of MarieBeeBloom.com --------------------------------------------------------------- In case you missed it from The World --------------------------------------------------------------- - [Looking for a trumpeter who’s not afraid of heights]( - [German commitment to return African artifacts puts pressure on US museums to do the same]( - [Land shark in New South Wales]( - [COVID-19 leaves some Indian mariners stuck at sea, others onshore]( - [As India’s COVID-19 cases continue to mount, a data journalist keeps track]( - [Influential Russian feminist activist Tatiana Nikonova dies at 43]( - [US inches ahead on cybersecurity protections]( - [Turn your COVID-19 mask into flowers]( - [Amsterdam bans fossil fuel ads on the subway]( - [Celebrating Eid al-Fitr]( - [Clashes spread across Israel to further inflame Gaza conflict]( Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX]( and [GBH](.