**Israel's Intensified Campaign Strains Hezbollah, Yet Retaliatory Strikes Persist**

In a series of aggressive military operations, Israel has severely impacted Hezbollah's operations in Lebanon. Despite the targeted elimination of key leaders and significant damage to their infrastructure, Hezbollah continues to launch retaliatory strikes against Israel with remarkable consistency.

Assassinations of top leaders, aerial bombardments, and a ground incursion have been key strategies in Israel's playbook. The killing of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in late September near Beirut, was followed by the death of his successor, Hashem Safieddine, earlier this month. These targeted strikes are part of a broader campaign that included the mass detonation of Hezbollah operatives' pagers and walkie-talkies and subsequent ground and air attacks across southern Lebanon and Beirut.

Despite these setbacks, Hezbollah has maintained a steady stream of attacks. Israeli reports indicate that around 135 projectiles crossed into Israel from Lebanon on Wednesday night alone, closely following a similar barrage of 140 projectiles the previous night. Even the private home of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not spared, as a Hezbollah drone struck his Caesarea residence last Saturday.

Experts point out that before these recent escalations, Hezbollah had built a substantial and sophisticated arsenal. Audrey Kurth Cronin, the director of the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology, emphasized that Hezbollah's strength lies in its rockets and missiles. With assistance from Iran, the group has developed precision-guided projectiles, making its attacks increasingly targeted and effective.

Israel's Iron Dome defense system, while highly effective, struggles against the sheer volume of projectiles Hezbollah can launch. This defense system's limitations were highlighted by the persistence of Hezbollah's attacks. Approximately half of Hezbollah's estimated stockpile of 120,000 to 200,000 rockets and missiles has been destroyed, yet the group still retains substantial firepower and access to additional supplies through its networks in Syria and Iraq.

The complexity of the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict extends beyond military exchanges. Analysts note logistical challenges faced by Israeli forces, including soldier fatigue after a year of continuous conflict in Gaza and shortages of ammunition due to restricted arms transfers. These difficulties are compounded by concerns about the legitimacy of Israel's actions, as highlighted in a recent policy paper by Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies.

While Israel aims to demonstrate its military prowess and restore deterrence, history shows that such tactics may not yield long-term effectiveness. Both Hezbollah and Hamas have withstood the assassination of their leaders in the past and have rebounded effectively. The uncertainty surrounding Hezbollah's next leadership adds another layer of unpredictability to the ongoing conflict.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how both entities will navigate this period of heightened aggression. For now, the resilience of Hezbollah and the determined response from Israel suggest a protracted conflict with significant regional implications.