Israeli forces have killed a gunman who illegally crossed into Israel through the porous border with Egypt's Sinai peninsula.

Israel's military said Tuesday soldiers patrolling the border overnight spotted a group of armed people who entered Israel.

A statement says the gunmen opened fire, drawing return fire from Israeli troops who killed one man. The others fled back to Egypt.

Israel says border security incidents have increased in recent months because lawlessness in post-revolution Egypt is allowing militants to use the Sinai to stage attacks against the Jewish state.

Israel is building a security barrier along its 230-kilometer border with Egypt to keep out militants and African migrants.