GAZA, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Israeli troops killed a Hamas militant during clashes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the Islamist group and medical workers said.

Six other gunmen and a civilian were wounded as Israeli troops backed by aircraft clashed with Palestinian militant groups in the southern Gaza town of Rafah, Hamas security sources said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said she was looking into the report.

Israel frequently carries out air strikes and ground raids against militants in the Gaza Strip in what it says is an effort to stop militants firing rockets into southern Israeli towns. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Writing by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

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