Israel is attempting a risky strategy, increasing the intensity of its attacks in an attempt to force Hezbollah to back down, while raising the chances of an aggressive response that devolves into a land war.

The strike in Beirut extended a string of Israeli attacks that have injured thousands and left U.S. and regional officials worried about a wider conflict.

Israel carried out one of its most intense bombardments against the Hezbollah militant group Thursday night, launching dozens of airstrikes over Lebanon. The aerial barrage comes just after Hezbollah's leader vowed revenge for a series of deadly device explosions that targeted the group's members this week.

The question now ringing through Israel is whether it helps win the war. There is broad agreement that the deadly sabotage of Hezbollah’s electronic communications was a short-term tactical success that sent its foe into disarray and incapacitated thousands of its fighters.

The Israeli Air Force launched renewed attacks on Lebanon on Thursday, as tensions run high following the waves of coordinated blasts involving Lebanese electronic devices widely attributed to Israel.