JERUSALEM, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday it killed several Hezbollah militants overnight in southern Lebanon.

In a statement, the IDF said the incident occurred in the Ali al-Taher Ridge area within the security zone held by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon. It did not specify the number of militants killed.

It said Israeli soldiers identified several Hezbollah militants and struck them to eliminate the threat they posed.

The IDF added that one of its officers was moderately wounded during the operation and was evacuated for medical treatment.

"The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to its soldiers and will not allow Hezbollah to harm Israeli civilians," the statement read. ■