• Israeli opposition leader Yair Golan criticized government actions in Gaza, calling them immoral.
• Golan stated Israel is becoming a "pariah state," likening it to apartheid-era South Africa.
• His comments drew severe backlash from Prime Minister Netanyahu and other political leaders.
• International concerns grow over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with warnings about civilian casualties.

Israeli opposition leader and retired general Yair Golan has sparked political outrage by stating that “a sane country does not kill babies for a hobby,” in reference to Israel's military actions in Gaza. His remarks were made during a radio interview and criticized the Israeli government’s ongoing offensive, which he claimed has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, including children. Golan warned that Israel is on the path to becoming a "pariah state" similar to South Africa during apartheid, thereby calling for a change in approach towards the ongoing conflict, according to aa, Middle East Eye, and HuffPost.

Golan’s comments received immediate backlash, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeling them as "wild incitement" and akin to "despicable anti-Semitic blood libels" aimed at Israeli soldiers. Opposition leader Yair Lapid and other politicians also condemned Golan’s statements, arguing they give ammunition to Israel's adversaries. Education Minister Yoav Kisch called for an investigation into Golan for incitement, emphasizing the duty to protect the Israeli Defense Forces' reputation, as reported by India Times and South China Morning Post.

The thrust of Golan’s argument was that Israel's current military strategy risks deepening international isolation, stating that continued aggression towards civilians undermines the moral standing of the country. He underscored that a "sane country" should not engage in warfare that targets civilians or seeks to displace entire populations. This critique aligns with concerns from international entities, which warn that if humanitarian aid does not reach Gaza soon, thousands of lives, particularly those of infants, could be lost, according to TRT Global and India Times.

Furthermore, Golan's statements arise amidst growing international pressure on Israel to halt its military actions in Gaza and allow humanitarian assistance to flow unobstructed, especially as reports reveal over 53,000 Palestinians have reportedly died in the conflict since October 2023. The humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels, with the UN warning that an unprecedented number of infants could die if timely aid is not provided, which has prompted outrage globally, as indicated by HuffPost, Middle East Eye, and South China Morning Post.