GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories (AFP) - An Islamic Jihad militant was killed near Gaza City on Wednesday in what medics and his family said was an Israeli drone strike.

But the Israeli military denied carrying out any strike on Gaza, with a spokeswoman saying she was unaware of any such incidents in the area.

"A Palestinian militant was killed by an Israeli drone in Shejaiyeh," said Ashraf al-Qudra, spokesman for the Hamas-run health ministry, referring to a district near the Israeli border with Gaza.

He named the dead man as Mohammed al-Ijlah, 32.

Family sources in the neighbourhood said Ijlah was a militant from Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigade and was killed by a drone.

The militant group confirmed Ijlah was one of its members.

But the Israeli military denied any involvement.

"We did not strike in Gaza today and we are unaware of any incident involving tanks or other shooting," the spokeswoman said.