BEIRUT, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Italian government donated Monday 1.5 million euros (1.7 million U.S. dollars) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which would allow the agency to provide medical services for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, local media reported.

"This new donation allows the UNRWA to provide hospital services in addition to financial support to around 1,500 Palestinian refugees moving from Syria to Lebanon," the National News Agency reported.

An agreement was signed for this purpose between the Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Massimo Marotti and UNRWA Director Claudio Cordoni.

Marotti said that Italy appreciates Lebanon's efforts in supporting Syrian refugees and it will continue to assist the Lebanese government in the future.

UNRWA has received during 2017-2018 around 3.75 million euros from the Italian government in support for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.