FTSE 100 Edges Higher as Banks Lead Gains Amid Middle East Peace Deal Developments

The UK's FTSE 100 index rose 0.17% to 10,726.56 points by 0946 GMT on Wednesday, led by gains in heavyweight banks stocks.

The blue-chip index was boosted by HSBC and Standard Chartered, which added 0.9% and 1.3%, respectively, after falling over 1% in the last session.

Oil prices held near their lowest level in more than two weeks, kept in check by improving Gulf crude supplies and growing hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the US-Israeli war on Iran.