A fresh escalation of violence in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher early on Thursday, even after Wednesday’s session ended with losses for both WTI and Brent. Those losses were driven by an unexpected build in U.S. crude oil inventories and another round of substantial builds in fuel inventories. However, also on Wednesday Israel stepped up its attacks on Gaza and the Yemeni Houthis carried out what UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps called the largest attack in the area yet. Per media reports citing U.S. Central Command, the U.S.…
