Israel presses Gaza assault, 31 killed by Kerry Sheridan Fri Jul 7, 10:37 PM ET Seven Palestinians were killed as Israel pressed on with its bloody offensive in Gaza and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas called on the international community to halt the deadly assault. UN chief Kofi Annan meanwhile called for an immediate stop to what he called Israel's "disproportionate use of force" in Gaza but also pressed for the release of an Israeli soldier snatched by Palestinian militants. Israel waged fresh air and ground attacks on northern Gaza, one day after reoccupying land in the deadliest 24 hours in...