GAZA CITY, December 30 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Israeli occupation forces killed seven Palestinians on Thursday, December 30, as tanks and armored vehicles rolled into southern Gaza Strip in a fresh massive sweep.

The incursion into Al-Amal refugee camp came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon gave his forces a carte blanche to attack Gaza Strip to allegedly end Palestinian rocket attacks on Jewish settlements.

An Israeli drone fired missiles into the city of Khan Yunis while troops and tanks raided the area killing seven Hamas members, reported Haaretz daily quoting army sources.

An Israeli military source said the missiles targeted two groups of resistance activists while a tank launched a shell to drive back others trying to close in on Israeli soldiers, added the daily.

Reuters put the death toll at five, including two members of Hamas and one from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military arm of Fatah.

It quoted Palestinian medics and witnesses as saying that Israeli troops also gunned down two 17-year-olds.

Residents said the invading forces fired missiles at presidential area and bulldozed a number of houses, leaving several Palestinian families homeless.

On December 17, the Israeli occupation army unleashed a massive operation – codenamed “Orange Metal” – in which at least 11 Palestinians were killed and more than 50 others injured, including three reporters and five children.

The Israelis flattened 40 homes and displaced some 400 people during the operation, according to UN estimates.

Palestinian officials condemned the Israeli raid and said it was undermining preparations for the January 9 presidential election despite earlier Israeli promises to facilitate the vote.

“We urge the international community to immediately intervene to enable us to hold a free and a fair election,” Palestinian Negotiations Minister Saeb Erekat told Reuters.

This was the third Israeli army sweep into Khan Yunis since past week.

Ten Palestinians, including two children, were wounded on Tuesday, December 28, in a fresh attack by Israeli forces on the city.

Fourteen Palestinians were killed earlier this month during an Israeli thrust into Khan Yunis.

The incursion into Khan Yunis coincided with more restrictions imposed by the Israeli forces in other parts of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army closed the main north-south road in the Strip, cutting off regular means of public transport and restricting the movement of Palestinian employees and students commuting to work or schools.

Sharon gave on Wednesday the Israeli forces free hand to launch attacks on Gaza Strip to end attacks on Jewish settlements.

UN resolutions deem all Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip and West Bank illegal since they are built on occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel has long spurned international calls to dismantle the illegal settlements.