The recent opening of a Nutella-themed café in Gaza has ignited widespread debate across social media and regional news platforms, with critics questioning how such a luxury establishment could emerge amid ongoing reports of hunger and humanitarian hardship in the enclave.

The café, named Nutella Sweet & Café, opened its doors in central Gaza City earlier this week, offering a menu of European-style desserts centered around the globally popular hazelnut spread. Promotional videos and photos of the launch event—featuring sleek interiors, elaborate pastries, and cheerful patrons—quickly went viral, prompting both admiration and outrage.

“This looks like a European capital, not a besieged city,” one commentator wrote, while others accused the café of projecting a misleading image of life in Gaza. The backlash intensified as international organizations, including the United Nations, recently warned of rising malnutrition and food insecurity in parts of the Strip.

Analysts say the controversy reflects deeper tensions over the uneven distribution of resources in Gaza, where some neighborhoods maintain access to imported goods and commercial ventures, while others face severe shortages. Reports suggest that the café caters primarily to wealthier residents, highlighting stark socioeconomic divides within the territory.

“This is not about Nutella—it’s about the optics,” said a regional media analyst. “Images of abundance in one corner of Gaza can undermine global awareness of suffering in another.”

The café’s owners have not publicly responded to the criticism, though supporters argue that such businesses offer a sense of normalcy and resilience in a region long defined by conflict.

As the debate continues, the Nutella Café has become more than a dessert shop—it’s a symbol of Gaza’s complex reality, where hardship and aspiration coexist in uneasy contrast.