Yep! I agree with Helena, though she doesn't put it this way, that Israel has squandered too much political capital to win a technical war. If they never entered Gaza (rather, carpet bombed it to rubble) they would have the time and support to neutralize Hezbollah's increased capabilities. As I'm fond of repeating from one of my pieces, if Israel couldn't afford a siege of Gaza why does it think it can afford an occupation?

Similarly, if Israel can't protect the towns in the North (hold that territory) why does it think it could hold territory in Lebanon!