Australian shares finished slightly higher as US futures slumped due to escalating conflict in the Middle East. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 was up 0.05%, while the broader All Ordinaries edged 0.07% higher. The rally was dampened by fresh airstrikes in Gaza and ongoing military escalation in the Middle East. Oil futures jumped 0.2% and gold reached an all-time high. The Australian dollar traded at 63.74 US cents.