The group says they reached the planes using electric scooters and proceeded to sabotage them with crowbars and red paint sprayed into the engines. According to the activists, the targeted planes were en route to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which they allege is used to gather intelligence and transport weapons aiding Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

The incident raises serious questions about base security, especially at Brize Norton, the UK’s largest airbase. The British Ministry of Defence has not yet released an official statement, but an investigation is reportedly underway.

BBC now reports that the home secretary will move to proscribe the Palestine Action group in the coming weeks, effectively branding them as a terrorist organisation.