Israeli shelling kills 5 in Gaza - medics

GAZA, July 21 (Reuters) Israeli shelling against Gaza City killed five Palestinians including a Hamas militant today, sources in the governing Islamic group and medics told Reuters.

They said a home in Gaza's eastern Shijia neighbourhood came under fire from an Israeli tank posted on the border.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said the report was being checked.

Israel launched an offensive in the Gaza Strip after Palestinian gunmen killed two soldiers and abducted another in a cross-border raid last month.

Earlier today, Israeli tanks and troops withdrew from a central Gaza refugee camp after a three-day sweep in which 15 gunmen and civilians were killed. Israeli forces remain in north and south Gaza.

Reuters SRS GC0935