(Updates casualties)

GAZA, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Israeli troops killed two Palestinian Hamas gunmen and wounded three others in the Gaza Strip on Friday, the Islamist faction and hospital officials said.

Hamas, which seized control of the coastal territory in June by routing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's forces, said the gunmen died fighting Israeli troops who were conducting an incursion near the northern town of Beit Hanoun.

An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed there had been an operation near Beit Hanoun, and said the gunmen were shot in separate incidents as they approached the soldiers.

On Thursday, witnesses and hospital officials said Israel killed at least four Palestinian gunmen and five civilians in air and ground strikes in the Gaza Strip.

Israel often carries out air strikes and raids in the Gaza Strip to try and stop militants from firing rockets at southern parts of the Jewish state. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Writing by Avida Landau; Editing by Charles Dick)

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