Oil prices eased in early trade on Thursday as concerns about a potential slowdown in the U.S. economy amid prospects for delayed interest rate cuts outweighed worries over the risk of expanding conflict in the Middle East. Oil prices eased in early trade on Thursday as concerns about a potential slowdown in the U.S. economy amid prospects for delayed interest rate cuts outweighed worries over the risk of expanding conflict in the Middle East. Israel also said it was moving forward with plans for an all-out assault on Rafah in the south. Energy Information Administration, or EIA, data on Wednesday indicated U.S. crude oil inventories unexpectedly fell last week as exports jumped, while gasoline stockpiles decreased less than forecast. "The data provided a temporary boost to oil prices, but it didn't seem to last long," Fujitomi's Tazawa said.

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Persons: Toshitaka Tazawa, Fujitomi's Tazawa Organizations: Brent, U.S . West Texas, Fujitomi Securities Co Ltd, U.S . Federal Reserve, Energy Information Administration, EIA Locations: U.S, East, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Rafah