[nonliberal]

The geopolitical climate will not allow a extended war in the middle East

Then let Israel get it over with quickly. This would have been over quickly had Hezbollah not been given the opportunity to regroup and rearm. Israel had the terrorists on the run. Not anymore.

[Cold Heat]

Actually, short of occupying the entire country, and taking on Syria, there was not much more to do.

The Hezbo's had moved North of the river and were launching from there. They were organizing skirmishes in the south, but had moved command and control to the North.

I think their leader was in the Iranian Embassy under protection and the Israeli's could not get to him either.