When Israel went into Lebanon in 1982, they created a defensive buffer zone that pushed back Hizbollah far enough that their rockets couldn't reach into Israel's territory effectively. When they left, under the auspices of a UN resolution, Lebanon's army was to take control of the area and secure it, thus securing Israel after the withdrawal. Lebanon's army failed to do so. Hizbollah went back in and took advantage of the power vacuum.
Hizbollah is both a political party and a militia. The two parts work in concert, using negotiation to stall while their militia gains control over areas. The political half builds schools, provides some social services functions and buys popular support from the Lebanese citizens in areas under their control.
The assassination of Lebanon's prime minister by Syrian operatives last year was an attempt to derail Lebanon's moves towards democratization. A rift has been forming between Hizbollah and the Lebanese government since that time.
It appears that Israel is trying to not only disarm Hizbollah and diminish its influence in Lebanon. If that succeeds, they may get their kidnapped soldiers back and enable Lebanon to keep the peace and establish democracy in their borders.
That's an analysis I heard from a former ambassador on the news the other day. In my opinion, Israel's just acting as our proxy to goad the Syrians and Iranians into a conflict so we can go in and kick their butts and force a broader regime change.
Middle East: UN team holds talks in Cairo on need to defuse crisis
Thank you so much for you post! Helps alot.