DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- In a concerning development, a tanker linked to Israel was seized by unidentified attackers off the coast of Yemen on Sunday. The seizure of the Liberian-flagged Central Park, managed by Zodiac Maritime, adds to the growing number of maritime attacks in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. Authorities are yet to determine the responsible group for the attack.

Zodiac Maritime, a London-based company and part of the Zodiac Group owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, confirmed the incident. The vessel, captained by a Turkish crew, had a multinational crew consisting of Russian, Vietnamese, Bulgarian, Indian, Georgian, and Filipino nationals. It was transporting a full cargo of phosphoric acid at the time of the seizure.

While the ownership of the vessel is described as Clumvez Shipping Inc., records directly link Zodiac Maritime as the owner. Notably, Daniel Guy Ofer, a director at Zodiac Maritime, is listed as a current and former director of Clumvez Shipping, according to British corporate records.

The exact identity of the attackers remains unknown. Aden, the nearby region, is controlled by forces allied to Yemen's internationally recognized government and a Saudi-led coalition, engaged in a long-standing conflict with Yemen's Houthi rebels. However, the attacked area is primarily under the control of the government forces and is considered distant from Houthi-controlled territory. Somali pirates are also not known to operate in this particular region.

A U.S. defense official, speaking anonymously about intelligence matters, confirmed the incident and stated that an "unknown number of unidentified armed individuals" seized the ship. However, it was revealed that U.S. and coalition forces are monitoring the situation closely.

Ambrey, a private intelligence firm, reported that it appeared U.S. naval forces were engaged in the area and had asked other vessels to stay clear. This indicates active efforts to address the situation.

Zodiac Maritime has previously been targeted in a shadow war between Iran and Israel. In 2021, an Iranian drone attack, assessed by Western nations to have been carried out by Iran, resulted in the death of two crew members on Zodiac's oil tanker Mercer Street off the coast of Oman.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations issued warnings to sailors about the situation, suggesting the presence of armed individuals and possible attacks. The ship's location was reported to be over 60 kilometers (35 miles) south of Yemen's coast and approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden.

This incident follows the recent attack on another Israeli billionaire's container ship, CMA CGM Symi, by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean. The Iranian government has neither acknowledged nor responded to questions regarding the attack.

Global shipping has increasingly become a target throughout the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, raising concerns of an escalation into a wider regional conflict. While a truce has halted fighting and hostages are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, maritime security remains a pressing issue.

Meanwhile, the Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group supported by Iran, seized a vehicle transport ship in the Red Sea off Yemen. However, they have not claimed responsibility for the seizure of the Central Park.

As investigations continue, the international community is closely monitoring and assessing the situation to ensure the safety and security of maritime operations in the region.