Nepal, July 18 -- Israel has expressed regret after a shell mistakenly struck the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, the only Catholic church in the region and said it is investigating the incident, according to a report by CNN.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that early findings showed fragments from a shell fired during military operations in the area may have hit the church by mistake.

"An initial inquiry into reports regarding injured individuals in the Holy Family Church in Gaza City suggests that fragments from a shell fired during operational activity in the area hit the church mistakenly. The cause of the incident is under review, " the statement said.

IDF further said, "The ...