Person from Muslim background here. Let me try to explain. As with all sacred texts, Quran includes many contradicting parts, where other are open to interpretation. Also, Quran was "revealed" as small passages over Muhammad's life. He claimed to receive messages in the context of the current events. To complicate things even more, standard Quran is not compiled in chronological order.

Passages from early Islam where Muslims were a persecuted minority, the texts are more about peace and harmony. As Muslims increased in numbers and influence, the passages have also turned more aggressive.

For example 2:62 says

Indeed, the believers, Jews, Christians, and Sabians—whoever ˹truly˺ believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good will have their reward with their Lord. And there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.

The final ones are indeed about any war, and dominating the space they exist in. Give them ultimatum and then fight until they ask for mercy.

The main message to take here is, by choosing which part to quote, you can make it say anything you want. Sounds familiar?

Could this be interpreted as in any type of war, and not just a defensive war? It doesn't seem clear to me via the english translation.

2:190 says to fight only against those who wage war against you. So it sounds like defensive war to me.

Could this not also mean the limits interpreted through other passages elsewhere in the Scripture?

So I clicked on the tafsir of this verse by scholars more knowledgeable than me:

"(but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors.)

This Ayah means, Fight for the sake of Allah and do not be transgressors,' such as, by committing prohibitions. Al-Hasan Al-Basri stated that transgression (indicated by the Ayah), "includes mutilating the dead, theft (from the captured goods), killing women, children and old people who do not participate in warfare, killing priests and residents of houses of worship, burning down trees and killing animals without real benefit." This is also the opinion of Ibn Abbas, Umar bin Abdul-`Aziz, Muqatil bin Hayyan and others. Muslim recorded in his Sahih that Buraydah narrated.

...

(Fight for the sake of Allah and fight those who disbelieve in Allah. Fight, but do not steal (from the captured goods), commit treachery, mutilate (the dead), or kill a child, or those who reside in houses of worship.)

It is reported in the Two Sahihs that Ibn `Umar said, "A woman was found dead during one of the Prophet's battles and the Prophet then forbade killing women and children. " There are many other Hadiths on this subject"

So my bad, it's not talking about proportionate response. But it teaches the limits of how to conduct yourself during such war.