Oil prices rose on Friday and are expected to end the week slightly higher, as deaths in Gaza complicate ceasefire negotiations.

Brent for delivery in April rose by 29 cents, or 0.4%, to $82.20 per barrel at 0118 GMT, while American West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $78.48 per barrel at 0118 GMT, while American West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $78.48 per barrel. WTI is on track to increase by 4% this week, while Brent is holding close to last week's price. Brent has been comfortably above the $80 mark for three weeks, as the conflict in the Middle East has had only a modest impact on crude flows due to attacks on maritime traffic in the Red Sea.

On the supply side, a Reuters survey showed that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) pumped 26.42 million barrels per day (bpd) this month, 90,000 bpd more than in January. Libyan production increased by 150,000 bpd month-on-month