Israeli minister got news of massacre on Sept. 17

The Israeli government's contention that it moved swiftly to stop the Beirut massacre of Palestinians was challenged by Communications Minister Mordechai Zipori in testimony before the judicial board of inquiry.

Mr. Zipori said he was told at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, that a massacre was occurring in Sabra and Shatila camps. He said the information came from an Israeli journalist who heard of the killings from senior Israeli Army officers. He said he quickly passed on the news to Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir, who then met with US envoy Morris Draper and Israeli intelligence.