The calls for a unilateral Israeli ceasefire in Gaza not only fail to see the cause of this conflict, but they also fail to recognize the agency of the people of Gaza.

Since the war started, western observers have treated the Gazans like children who have no role to play and only made their pleas for peace to the people of Israel. They hold Israeli citizens responsible for the actions of their leaders and military but fail to hold the Gazans responsible for their leaders and military.