The lives of Palestinians — in pictures

Local fishermen use nets to catch crabs and fish near Deir Al Balah wharf. Although the Oslo Accords granted Palestinian fishing space up to 20 nautical miles from the shore, Israeli restrictions have limited fishing waters to three nautical miles Photograph: David Levene

Nasmeen with her daughters Farrah and Janna, and their aunt, Najwa, are enjoying a day at the beach, one of the few recreational spots in Gaza. 'We are a large extended family living in a cramped apartment. I felt we needed a change and this is the only place where we feel we have space' Photograph: David Levene

Fishermen with their boats at the Gaza City wharf area Photograph: David Levene

The wall barrier near the crossing point into Egypt, Rafah. After the Hamas takeover in 2007, Egyptian authorities sealed the border between Gaza and Egypt. Since the fall of Mubarak's government, the authorities have taken steps to ease freedom of movement for people in Gaza Photograph: David Levene

The only contact Alya and her three sons have with her husband and their father Issa Al Haddar are daily phone conversations. Due to restrictions on freedom of movement, thousands of Palestinian families are living apart. 'This is not how I imagined our life to be. I would give anything in this world for us all to be together again' Photograph: David Levene

A girl with a broom at the Brazil refugee camp, Rafah Photograph: David Levene

A picture on the wall of the maternity ward of the Al Awda Hospital in Gaza reads: 'The heart of a mother is like a flower that cannot be destroyed' Photograph: David Levene

Dr Abdel Younis, director of gynaecology and obstetrics at Al Awda Hospital, says patients' care is compromised by both Israel's blockade and the Palestinian political divide Photograph: David Levene

The Al Awda Hospital in Jabalia refugee camp was established with the aim of providing high quality and low cost care. Sisters Nazmia and Khatem Muhane have given birth at the hospital on the same day, to Ali, a boy, and Jenna, a girl Photograph: David Levene

Jehan Al Aklouk, 32, has been working with the Union of Health Workers' Committee for seven years. 'When Fatah and Hamas signed the reconciliation agreement, I thought there was light at the end of the tunnel but it's just gone with the wind' Photograph: David Levene

Boys play in the Az Zurqa neighbourhood of Gaza City Photograph: David Levene

Ali Al Atar, 17, picks up medicine for his mother, who has a heart condition. She needs five medications but only one is available. Since the split between Gaza and the West Bank, coordination problems between authorities have led to a shortage of drugs. 'There are six of us and I'm the only one working. Almost all my money is spent on medicine and doctors' Photograph: David Levene

The walkway at the Erez border crossing between Israel and Gaza. The crossing is only open to foreign passport holders with permission to enter Gaza and international aid officials. Crossing is also allowed in some cases Palestinians seeking urgent medical attention outside Gaza or on humanitarian grounds Photograph: David Levene