Two members of Hamas's armed wing, identified as Abdullah Louh and Yehya Borrak, were killed in the exchange of fire that came after both sides had observed a relative lull in the conflict in and around Gaza for three weeks.

Two civilians were also injured in the same incident, sources said.

An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed that troops "indentified and hit" two armed men during the incursion.

Several other Palestinians were detained for questioning, she said.

Tuesday's deaths bring to 363 the number of people killed since Israelis and Palestinians revived their peace talks at a US meeting last November, according to an AFP count.

At least 6,326 people have been killed since the start of the second Palestinian uprising in September 2000, the vast majority of them Palestinians, according to a separate AFP tally.