Does victory against Hezbollah require an invasion of Syria?

The pro-Hezbollah daily al-Akhbar published a report today (Wednesday) suggesting that Israel may be aiming at a ground invasion of southern Syria and parts of Lebanon's Bekaa region, in order to cut off and destroy Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon, according to Naharnet.

The report, based on "various sources concerned with the developments in our region," said that the IDF seems to be signaling an effort to cut off Hezbollah's supply lines of weapons and manpower from Syria and Iraq before commencing with a direct attack on southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has been attacking Israel's north since October 8.

While the IDF has launched repeated air strikes against Hezbollah and Iranian forces in Syria, in order to hinder efforts to resupply Hezbollah with weapons and forces, there has been no indication from Israeli officials that a wider war involving Syria is on the table.