The Dutch paper said that three of the four main components needed for the production of sarin were on the El Al plane, and that it was unclear whether the burning of the chemicals had contributed to health problems experienced by people living in the area of the crash. Neither the spokesman for El Al or for Mr. Netanyahu mentioned the presence of other chemicals on the plane.

The spokesman for Mr. Netanyahu, Aviv Bushinsky, said that the Institute for Biological Research had ordered about 50 gallons of dimethyl methylphosphonate ''for testing of filters, including protective filters'' with the approval of the Unites States Department of Commerce. After the shipment was lost in the crash, another was delivered, Mr. Bushinsky said.

''It should be emphasized that the material is not poisonous and is used in various industrial applications,'' Mr. Bushinsky added.

Dan Weinreich, spokesman for the Israeli Defense Ministry, said in a written statement that all documents listing cargo sent to the ministry had been submitted to the Dutch authorities. ''The freight consigned to the Ministry of Defense on board flight LY1862 did not contain dangerous goods, therefore no grounds for concern exist,'' Mr. Weinreich said. ''It should be noted that this statement pertains only to cargo consigned to the Ministry of Defense.''

A statement by El Al said that the chemical mentioned in the Dutch report had been approved for air transport by the International Air Transport Association, the International Civil Aviation Association and the United Nations. ''El Al has never hidden any facts or details regarding cargo flown on the flight in question, and has always provided full cooperation with the appropriate Dutch authorities,'' El Al said.

Mr. Klieman said that El Al routinely carried a variety of substances whose transport is permitted by international aviation agencies. At the time of the crash, he said, it was disclosed that the El Al plane carried military spare parts and perfume, but reporters' queries about other items were referred to the Dutch authorities.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry said it knew of chemicals on the plane, Agence France-Presse reported, saying the document cited by the newspaper was included in a report to the Dutch Parliament in 1996.