(Adds army confirmation of firefight)

GAZA, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Israeli troops killed a Hamas militant in a clash in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Hamas sources said.

Hamas and Gaza residents said Israeli troops exchanged fire with Hamas militants inside the coastal strip near a border crossing between Israel and southern Gaza.

Residents said Israeli tanks crossed into the territory after the clash.

An army spokeswoman confirmed there had been a gunfight in the area.

Israeli forces frequently cross into Gaza to try to stop Islamist militants from firing rockets into Israel. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Writing by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Matthew Jones)

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