UPDATE 1-British Airways cancels flight to Tel Aviv amid escalating conflict

(Adds easyJet statement, background)

LONDON, May 13 (Reuters) - British Airways
cancelled its flights to and from Tel Aviv on Thursday, the
latest international carrier to avoid flying to Israel amid an
escalating conflict there.

"The safety and security of our colleagues and customers is
always our top priority, and we continue to monitor the
situation closely," British Airways said.

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and
American Airlines on Wednesday all cancelled flights
between the United States and Tel Aviv.

The fiercest hostilities in years continued on Thursday, as
Israel was preparing ground troops along the Gaza border and
Hamas launched rocket barrages at southern Israel.

British airline easyJet said that it was not yet
cancelling its flights to Tel Aviv. Its next flight there is
from Berlin and not scheduled until May 16, with a service from
London Luton to Tel Aviv scheduled for May 18.

"We will of course continue to monitor the situation," an
easyJet spokeswoman said.

From May 17, Israel is one of the few low-risk COVID-19
destinations which Britons can visit without needing to
quarantine on their return, but the conflict is already making
getting there difficult and will likely deter visitors.
(Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and
Michael Holden)