“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.