AL-KHALIL -- Ignoring regional and international efforts to restore calm, Israel late Sunday assassinated at least four Palestinian activists in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources.

The sources said an Israeli apache helicopter gunship fired several missiles at the four Hamas activists, who were strolling along the Gaza beach, killing them instantly, IRNA reported.

Another ten Palestinian civilians were reportedly injured in the rocketing.

The attack comes less than four days after the assassination by the Israeli army of Hamas political leader Ismael Abu Shanab.

The attack also comes despite intensive efforts by the Palestinian Authority and Egypt to renew the 7-week truce which Israel and Palestinian resistance groups accuse each other of breaking.

The Palestinian Authority has condemned the latest killings and called on the international community, particularly the United States, to pressure Israel to stop its aggression against the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian Authority said Israel is trying to "assassinate" a U.S.-backed peace plan by killing Islamic activists.

"I think that (Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon's government plans to assassinate the road map...(and) that some extremists in the U.S. administration are facilitating this mission for Israel," said Palestinian cabinet minister Yasser Abed Rabbo.