Israel did a similar strike against an Iraqi nuclear reactor on the premise that it is better to send a signal now rather than wait for the bomb to be built. The Black and Tans were given direct orders to eliminate the IRA leadership. What American soldiers did at My Lai, free fire zones is a part of warfare. I always liked the adage that Marlon Brando used in Apocalypse Now. It is a no-win situation.
Preemptive strike are what terrorists and criminals use.
We would be no better than they are despite what justification we use to support our defense.