I happen to think our response to Pearl was overkill, then again I don’t see Isreal dropping nukes on Gaza.
But what you call "overkill" is what wins wars. Measured, "proportionate" responses make them drag on and on. Attempts to be "proportionate" were one of the reasons Vietnam and Korea lasted so long.
If you're going to fight, hit hard enough to win quickly. If you don't intend to win, don't fight.
Given the history of the ME, Israel absolutely needs to hit them hard enough to make it hurt and get the Muslims' hate-fogged attention, if possible.