One person was killed and eight others were injured after an apartment building in Rehovot suffered a direct hit in a wave of rockets fired shortly after 6 p.m. on Thursday evening.
One person was killed after he was trapped under the rubble of the damaged building, and eight people received medical treatment on the scene after sustaining light injuries as a result of the direct missile hit. One of the injured is a woman in her 60s who is suffering from a head injury, United Hatzalah has confirmed.
The Iron Dome suffered a malfunction on Thursday evening, allowing a Gaza rocket to hit the Rehovot building, IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari revealed on Friday morning.
While the air defense system fired as intended, it failed to intercept the Islamic Jihad missile that directly hit the apartment building in Rehovot.
"It was a very difficult scene with a lot of destruction," United Hatzalah Rehovot branch head Yoni Rottenberg recounted. "Unfortunately, the death of one of the injured was pronounced at the scene as a result of the rocket hit.
"In addition, we provided initial treatment to eight people who sustained moderate and light injuries. United Hatzalah's Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit also treated numerous people for emotional shock."
Forces of the IDF Home Front Command's Search and Rescue Unit, Israel Police forces, medical personnel and Fire and Rescue Services searched for additional people who may be trapped underneath the rubble, and local residents have been asked to stay away from the scene.
MK Yuli Edelstein, chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, issued a statement shortly after the event, saying: "My heart goes out to the family of the murdered person from the missile strike, and I am praying for the recovery of those injured.
"The responsibility for the criminal and cowardly strike and murder lies with one source: Iran - the patron and financier of the Islamic Jihad. There lies the head of the snake, and we will work in every way to remove this threat from the people of Israel."
Former defense minister Benny Gantz sent his condolences to the family and stressed the importance of following Home Front Command directives and staying as safe as possible.
"It is true that we have the best air defense system in the world, but it is extremely important that we also take proper personal and familial security measures," he said.
Two homes in Sderot were also directly hit by the wave of rockets, although no injuries were reported. In a second wave of rockets an hour later, a third home sustained direct hits.
This is a developing story.