Mumbai, March 19 -- Asian stocks ended mixed on Wednesday as Middle East tensions escalated, and investors awaited the Federal Reserve's projections for economic growth and inflation against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive stance on tariffs.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed over 400, reigniting a conflict that has claimed 48500 Palestinian lives.

Adding to the unease, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected an immediate and full ceasefire in Ukraine, agreeing only to halt attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days.

The dollar index was firm as tensions flared over Gaza and Trump's tariffs. Gold held near record highs while oil extended losses after the American Petroleum Institute reported a build in U.S. ...