Overview

• On August 17, Israeli navy missile boats hit the Hezyaz power plant south of Sanaa, causing reported explosions and generator damage with no immediate casualty confirmations.
• The Israel Defense Forces described the operation as punishment for repeated Houthi surface-to-surface missile and unmanned drone assaults on Israeli land and maritime targets.
• Later the same day, a missile launched from Yemen set off sirens in Jerusalem and central Israel before being shot down by Israeli air defenses.
• Israeli officials accused the Iran-backed Houthis of operating under Tehran’s direction but have not publicly presented evidence that the targeted plant served military purposes.
• Humanitarian groups and analysts warned that strikes on civilian energy infrastructure could worsen Yemen’s power shortages and impede critical aid deliveries.