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Oil stable as U.S. unrefined stock build offsets Middle East unpredictability

Oil prices held stable in early trade on Wednesday after two straight days of losses, as worries about tighter supply due to uncertainty over Gaza ceasefire talks were offset by a biggerthanexpected integrate in U.S. crude inventories.

Brent unrefined futures were flat at $89.42 per barrel at 0010 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 2 cents to $85.25.

Hamas said on Tuesday that an Israeli proposal on a. ceasefire in their war in Gaza did not meet the demands of. Palestinian militant factions, but it would study the deal. even more and deliver its action to conciliators.

If the dispute continues, it runs the risk of the participation of other. nations in the area, especially Hamas backer Iran, the. third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum. Exporting Countries (OPEC).

U.S. crude stocks climbed last week by 3.03. million barrels, according to market sources citing American. Petroleum Institute figures. Experts had actually approximated that stocks. would rise by about 2.4 million barrels.

Main U.S. federal government inventory information is due at 10:30 a.m. ( 1430 GMT).

Separately, the government raised its forecast for U.S. petroleum output, expecting an increase of 280,000 bpd to 13.21. million bpd in 2024, up 20,000 bpd from an earlier forecast from. the U.S. Energy Details Administration (EIA).

However, EIA said it expects Brent crude rates to average. $ 88.55 a barrel in 2024, up from a previous projection of $87 a. barrel.

On Tuesday, both Brent and WTI fell more than 1%, as. Israel-Hamas ceasefire discussions in Cairo continued.

The leader of the Revolutionary Guard's navy in Iran said. it could close the Strait of Hormuz if deemed essential. About a. fifth of the volume of the world's total oil consumption passes. through the strait daily.

Turkey stated it would limit exports of various items,. including jet fuel, to Israel till there is a ceasefire. Israel. stated it would react with its own curbs.