An Israeli-linked oil tanker has been seized by attackers off the coast of Yemen, according to reports from intelligence firm Ambrey and the tanker's management company, Zodiac Maritime. The Liberian-flagged tanker, named Central Park, was reportedly seized by unidentified armed individuals in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel is managed by Zodiac Maritime, which is part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer's Zodiac Group. The company referred to the incident as a "suspected piracy incident" and expressed its priority of ensuring the safety of the 22 crew members onboard. The tanker is carrying a full cargo of phosphoric acid. The attack comes in the midst of heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas, with at least two other recent maritime attacks being linked to the ongoing conflict. The identity of the attackers remains unknown, and it is unclear why the vessel was targeted. The U.S. defense official has confirmed the incident and stated that "US and coalition forces are in the vicinity and we are closely monitoring the situation." Details regarding the response to the attack and the current status of the vessel remain undisclosed.
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