The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip had risen to 72,562, with 172,320 others injured since the latest round of the conflict between Hamas and Israel broke out on Oct 7, 2023, Gaza's health authorities said on Wednesday.
The authorities said that two bodies and four wounded people were brought to hospitals in Gaza over the last 24 hours.
Since a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel took effect in October last year, a total of 786 Palestinians have been killed and 2,217 others wounded, according to the authorities.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 72,562
U.S. stocks closed higher on Wednesday, supported by a decision to extend the two-week ceasefire with Iran and a solid start to the corporate earnings season.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.69 percent to 49,490.03. The S and P 500 added 1.05 percent to 7,137.9. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 1.64 percent to 24,657.57.
Seven of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors ended in green, with technology and communication services leading the gainers by going up 2.31 percent and 1.41 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, real estate and industrials led the laggards by dropping 0.69 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.
Stocks gained momentum after the extension of the ceasefire with Iran. However, tensions persisted in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran's navy reported seizing two container ships on Wednesday despite the extension.
Earnings season continued with a strong start. Boeing climbed 5.53 percent after the aerospace giant reported a smaller-than-expected first-quarter loss. GE Vernova, Philip Morris, and AT and T rose 13.75 percent, 6.98 percent and 0.39 percent, respectively, following their quarterly results.
Shares of all the "Magnificent Seven" technology giants ended higher, with Tesla closing up 0.28 percent ahead of its earnings release after the market close. IBM and ServiceNow were also scheduled to report results later in the day.
Investors continue to monitor developments in the Middle East while shifting attention toward a busy week of corporate earnings.
U.S. stocks advance amid ceasefire extension with Iran
