Life in the Gaza Strip is difficult. There is conflict, poverty, and only enough fuel to power electricity for a few hours a day. Two million people live within the Palestinian-controlled territory, roughly twice the size of the District of Columbia, making it one of the world’s most crowded places. The border crossings with its neighbors, Egypt and Israel, are both closed, and travel in and out is strictly controlled. Living here has been compared to being in an outdoor prison, or worse.

Monique Jaques, like many photojournalists, originally traveled to Gaza in 2004 to cover the war with Israel. But after staying with a family and becoming friends one of the daughters who was only a few years younger