By The South Asia Times

DUBAI - Amid escalating conflict in the Middle East following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, new claims have emerged suggesting that casualties inside Israel may be significantly higher than officially reported, according to accounts from regional journalists and witnesses.

Local reporters and foreign correspondents have alleged that Israeli authorities are limiting media access to areas struck by Iranian missiles, raising questions about the scale of destruction and the true number of casualties.

According to these accounts, more than 600 people may have been killed in Israel during Iran’s retaliatory strikes, although Israeli officials have not confirmed such figures.

An Indian journalist, who recently left Israel and arrived in Dubai, described witnessing a missile strike that allegedly destroyed several buildings.

According to his account, more than 100 people were believed to have died in that single incident, but an official statement later reported only one fatality.

“The building collapsed in front of us, and many people were trapped,” the journalist reportedly said, adding that local residents also believed the death toll was far higher than what authorities publicly announced.

Several journalists and residents have also claimed that media access to hospitals and missile impact sites has been restricted. Doctors have reportedly been instructed not to speak with reporters, while police are said to be preventing journalists from reaching strike locations.

Witnesses also claim that authorities have confiscated mobile phones from residents attempting to record damage or casualties.

These restrictions, according to critics, have made it difficult to independently verify the extent of damage in cities such as Tel Aviv and other urban areas hit during the exchanges.

Protests also reportedly took place in Tel Aviv two days ago against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with demonstrators criticizing the government’s decision to launch strikes against Iran. Protesters were quoted as saying that civilians are now paying the price of the escalation.

“Now our children are dying. Netanyahu has left, but Iran is striking us,” some protesters reportedly said during the demonstrations.

Residents have described missile strikes causing extensive destruction in residential areas. One local witness said a missile struck near their street on March 1, destroying multiple homes. According to the resident, rubble still covers the site, and it remains unclear how many people may still be trapped beneath it.

Meanwhile, an Iranian senior military official claimed in a recent interview with The South Asia Times that more than 600 Israelis and over 300 US soldiers had been killed during six days of fighting. Iranian officials also say that over 1,000 Iranian civilians, including women and children, have died in US and Israeli strikes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also claimed that the United States and Israel are now seeking a ceasefire, though Tehran has vowed to continue the conflict.

Only limited video footage has emerged from Israel due to reported restrictions, but some clips circulating online appear to show heavy damage in Tel Aviv and other cities following Iranian missile attacks.

Independent verification of many of these claims remains difficult due to restricted access to conflict zones and the ongoing nature of the fighting.