The Palestine Chronology

Palestinian National Authority holds 1st cabinet mtg. in Gaza City.  Weekly sessions are to alternate btwn. Gaza and Jericho.  (WT 6/29)

Israeli Commission of Inquiry into 2/25 Hebron massacre issues report, concludes settler Baruch Goldstein acted alone in killing 29 Palestinian Muslim worshippers at Haram al-Ibrahimi.  Report clears govt., IDF of any responsibility for attack but notes lapses in security at site, previous provocations by Goldstein.  Commission recommends Jewish worshippers be barred fr. carrying weapons, separation of Jews and Muslims.  Panel also urges IDF to clarify open-fire regulations.  Palestinians including Hebron Mayor Mustafa al-Natsha, Meretz MK Dedi Zucker criticize report, saying massacre took place because of "climate of threats and violence," double standard applied to settlers.  (MM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 6/27; WJW 6/30; JP 7/9)

Israeli Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) denies broadcast allegations that radiation escaped during 1966 accident at Negev Nuclear Research Centre in Dimona, site of Israeli nuclear-weapons program, but admits accident, death of 1 employee.  Frmr. Dimona technician, 1 of 20 suing AEC for contracting cancer after incident, alleged radiation release in 6/24 Israel TV interview.  (WT 6/27)

Hebron Massacre. 29 Palestinians killed when American-born settler, IDF reservist, and Kach mbr. Dr. Baruch Goldstein opens fire with IDF-issued Galil assault rifle on Muslim worshippers at Haram al-Ibrahimi in Hebron ("Cave of the Patriarchs") before being bludgeoned to death by survivors. 6 more Palestinians killed in clashes with IDF outside main Hebron hospital, 5othershot dead elsewhere in o.t. Hundreds wounded in bloodiest single day in o.t. since 1967 war. Palestinians riot throughout o.t., including at Haram al-Sharif in Jerusalem. Gaza Strip closed off fr. Israel. (MENA, SPA 2/25 in FBIS 2/28; MM 2/25; WP 2/26, 2/27)

PFLP, PFLP-GC, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad issue statements vowing revenge for massacre. (AFP 2/25, QPAR 2/25, al-Ray 2/26 in FBIS 2/28)

Unidentified Palestinians axe to death 79-year-old Israeli at Kfar Sava bus station. (JP 3/5)