The Spanish government said on Thursday that it rejects the Israeli ban on the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), and called on Tel Aviv to suspend its application.

Israel demands UNRWA halt operations in Jerusalem by January 30, citing Hamas ties and security risks. The move follows Knesset legislation severing ties with the agency.

The headquarters of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, was deserted on Wednesday as staff left before a pair of Israeli laws came into effect Thursday banning the organisation from operating on Israeli territory and prohibiting Israeli officials from any contact with the agency.

The United Nation's Palestinian refugee agency said on Sunday it had been ordered by Israel to vacate premises and cease all of its operations in occupied East Jerusalem by Thursday.

Within 48 hours, the State of Israel will cease its cooperation with UNRWA,' envoy Danny Danon said – 'UNRWA must cease its activities and evacuate all its facilities in Jerusalem'

Nearly all Security Council members express solidarity, support for UN agency for Palestinian refugees - Anadolu Ajansı

The agency, UNRWA, will be banned from operating on Israeli soil, and contact between it and Israeli officials will also be forbidden.

Israel will cease contact with the UN’s Palestinian humanitarian relief agency UNRWA and any body acting on its behalf, its UN envoy said Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman says 'UNRWA equals an organization infested with Hamas terror activity' after Supreme Court rejects petition contesting move approved in November

Israel alleged on Wednesday that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is full of Hamas operatives and reaffirmed its commitment to end ties with the agency this week. Israel has made public,

Tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem were set to lose education, healthcare and other services provided by U.N. agency UNRWA as an Israeli ban on the organisation takes effect on Thursday.