ReutersAny possible escalation of the Israel-Hamas war poses a major risk to the global economy, driving up energy prices and disrupting key trade routes, economists have warned. Israel's subsequent bombardment of Gaza in a bid to eliminate Hamas has increased the risk of a spillover to the wider Middle East region. The events in recent days have deepened the greatest fear among economists, that the conflict engulfs the region and begins to pose a long-term threat to global energy and trade infrastructure. Back then oil prices gained 30% in a matter of two weeks before settling at around 15% above pre-war levels," said J. Safra Sarasin Equity Strategist Wolf von Rotberg. "You choke off those points and you create major disruption not just to oil prices, but the whole supply chain of the world for energy and other goods as well."

---

Persons: Israel's, Isaac Herzog, Pat Thaker, Thaker, Brent, J . Safra Sarasin, J, Wolf von Rotberg, Elijah Oliveros, Rosen, Oliveros, Paul Gruenwald, Gruenwald Organizations: Hamas, Reuters, Palestinian, Lebanese, Hezbollah, Economist Intelligence Unit, CNBC, Fed, ECB, West Texas, J ., Safra Sarasin Equity Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Lebanon, East, Africa, Saudi, Ukraine, Europe, Iran, Tehran, Saudi Arabia, Suez, Persian, Hormuz, U.S, Chile, Turkey, Thailand, Philippines, India, Egypt