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Oil begins week lower after Israel says 'concluded' Gaza strikes

Oil rates fell in early Asian trade on Monday after Israel said it had actually concluded a series of strikes in southern Gaza, a little alleviating issues about supply from the Middle East.

Brent unrefined futures were down 43 cents, or 0.5%, at $ 81.76 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were 46 cents, or 0.6% lower, at $76.38 a barrel at 0135 GMT.

Geo-political dangers consisting of a feared widening of the Israel-Palestinian conflict throughout the area and potential oil supply disturbance in the Middle East pushed rates up by about 6% last week.

The Israeli military stated on Monday it had actually performed a. series of strikes on southern Gaza that have now concluded,. days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned down a. ceasefire proposition from Hamas.

While supply concerns in the Middle East stayed relatively. heightened, news from the U.S. relieved some worries.

U.S. energy companies increased oil and gas rigs to. their highest given that mid-December, possibly signaling an. boost in output. Domestic production returned recently to a. record 13.3 million barrels per day (bpd).

Demand concerns remained, as a Federal Reserve authorities said. she had no interest in advising a rates of interest cut, including. to the chorus on more reining in inflation. Higher interest. rates slow economic growth, which curbs oil need.

Trading in Asia hours is expected to be thin as the majority of the. area including China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea,. Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia are closed for holidays.

Mainland China's monetary markets are closed for the Lunar. New Year holiday and will resume trade on Monday, Feb 19. Hong. Kong trade will resume on Feb. 14.

(source: Reuters)