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Market Futures Slip as Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment

  U.S. stock futures edged lower early Thursday as investors attempted to extend Wednesday’s rebound but remained cautious amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell about 0.4%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures slipped roughly 0.2% each. The pullback followed a strong regular session in which all three major indexes posted gains, with the Dow snapping a three‑day losing streak.  The overnight weakness reflects persistent market sensitivity to geopolitical developments. Escalating tensions involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran continue to drive volatility across asset classes, with traders closely watching oil prices and inflation implications. Recent sessions have seen markets swing sharply as headlines shift, underscoring the fragile balance between economic fundamentals and geopolitical risk.  Despite the cautious tone, Wednesday’s rally showed that investors are still willing to buy into dips—particularl...

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Gaza Ceasefire Commences After Delay, Hopes Rise for Peace and Hostage Release

 

After a tense delay, a long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has finally come into effect in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire, which was initially set to begin at 8:30 a.m. local time, was delayed by three hours due to disagreements over the release of hostages. The truce, which started at 11:15 a.m., aims to halt the ongoing violence and facilitate the gradual release of hostages held by Hamas.

The ceasefire deal, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, is seen as a significant step towards ending the 15-month conflict that has resulted in the deaths of over 46,800 Palestinians and extensive destruction in Gaza. The agreement includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Despite the delay, celebrations erupted across Gaza as some Palestinians began returning to their homes. The ceasefire is expected to bring much-needed humanitarian aid to the war-torn region, with 600 trucks of aid set to enter Gaza daily.

The first phase of the ceasefire will see the release of three female hostages later on Sunday, with additional hostages expected to be freed in the coming days. The hope is that this ceasefire will pave the way for lasting peace and reconciliation in the region.



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