The government on Monday approved a special service ribbon for Israeli soldiers who served in southern Lebanon between September 1982 and May 2000 – one of Israel's longest military campaigns.
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The citation will also be afforded to members of the Southern Lebanon Army who fought alongside the IDF in the now-defunct Security Zone.
The insignia's colors – white, blue, red, green and gray – represent the colors of both countries' flags, lives lost and ongoing operational activity.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said it was "a privilege to be able to afford recognition to thousands of my brothers in arms. This is a symbol of that the state honors the solders' dedication in defending it."
