I read in an earlier report that the missile struck in the hanger deck area. Not to much visible damage there but the video is from alongside or from ahead, so it may just be the damage is within the hanger and that not visible.
I agree that the water line smudges are exhaust but I think they are associated with the ship's main propulsion system. Here is a description from the Israel Weapons website (
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/naval/saar5/Saar5.html):
Propulsion
The ship's propulsion system is in a CODOG combined diesel or gas configuration. The two MTU 12V 1163 TB82 diesel engines are rated at 6,600hp. The GE LM 2500 gas turbine system is cross-connected and provides 30,000hp. The propulsion system drives two shafts. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 33 knots. The cruise speed on the diesel engines is 20 knots and the endurance is 4,000 nautical miles. A large twin rudder provides maneuverability at high speed and controllable reversible pitch (CRP) propellers at low speed.
The video at the IDF website shows more smudging on the hull than on the Israel Weapons website. This may be normal or it may be from ejecting smoke from the fire through the ventilation system. To be perfectly honest, the ship looks pretty good for having just taken a cruise missile.
These weapons have a history of not detonating when they hit a thinly armored/unarmored ship. But the rocket motor continues to burn causing major conflagrations. IIRC, HMS Sheffield burnt out and had to be sunk during the Falklands War and USS Stark had a major fire during the Tanker War (annex to the Iran- Iraq War) when struck by anti-ship cruise missiles. Both missiles were Exocets. If I am not mistaken, the Chinese-designed, Iranian-produced missile involved in this attack is essentially a copy of the Exocet.
Now that the Israelis are alerted to this threat, I'd say the next time the Hezbollah/Iranians turn on it's fire control radar, the IDF will have a hot surprise waiting for them.
These weapons have a history of not detonating when they hit a thinly armored/unarmored ship. But the rocket motor continues to burn causing major conflagrations. IIRC, HMS Sheffield burnt out and had to be sunk during the Falklands War and USS Stark had a major fire during the Tanker War (annex to the Iran- Iraq War) when struck by anti-ship cruise missiles. Both missiles were Exocets. If I am not mistaken, the Chinese-designed, Iranian-produced missile involved in this attack is essentially a copy of the Exocet. If it was a C-802, as has been reported, then it's more like a Harpoon than the sort of Exocet that got the Sheffield and the Stark. Of course any left over jet fuel for it's turbine engine could have much the same effect. Latest model Exocet also uses turbine engine rather than solid rocket.