The UK has slapped sanctions on two Israeli government ministers for inciting violence against Palestinians.

Security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who serve in Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government, will both face a travel ban and see their assets frozen. The UK and its allies are also calling for immediate action against extremist settlers in the West Bank.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy, along with the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway said in a joint statement: “We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution and will continue to work with our partners towards its implementation. It is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long term stability in the region, but it is imperilled by extremist settler violence and settlement expansion.

“Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.

“We will strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas which can have no future role in the governance of Gaza, a surge in aid and a path to a two-state solution.”

The move comes as the UK and allies ratchet up pressure on Israel's government over the war in Gaza. Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir both belong to right-wing parties which help to prop up Mr Netanyahu's fragile coalition government.

Both have been criticised for their hard line stance on the war in Gaza. Mr Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, while Mr Ben-Gvir has called for Gaza's people to be resettled elsewhere.

A No 10 spokesman said: "These sanctions apply to the individuals in their personal capacities, not their ministries and departments. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich do not speak for all Israeli people ... and have a long history of dangerous extremist and inflammatory views.

"As the Israeli ambassador to the UK has said in recent interviews, their statements in their ministerial capacities do not even represent government policy. Their agenda and actions undermine the interests of Israeli people, including security, many Israelis see this. So, today, with our international partners, we have announced measures against those ministers in a personal capacity."

Mr Lammy last month fiercely criticised Mr Smotrich for saying Israel’s army would wipe out what is left of Gaza. “No more raids and going in and out, but conquering, cleansing and remaining until Hamas is destroyed,” Mr Smotrich said. “We are destroying what is still left of the Strip.”

Mr Lammy told MPs: “We must call this what it is. It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.”

Chairwoman of the Commons' foreign affairs committee Emily Thornberry said: "I and others have been calling for sanctions on these extremist Israeli ministers for the better part of a year. The government is finally doing the right thing. This must be a precursor to recognising a Palestinian state next week - not an alternative to it."

Earlier, Keir Starmer told Sky News the situation in Gaza "is intolerable and it's getting worse". The Prime Minister said: "I think anybody looking at what's going on in Gaza, would be shocked, and that's why we do need to get back to a ceasefire, urgently.

"It's why we need to get the remaining hostages out, they've been there a very long time. And of course, humanitarian aid needs to get in at volume and at speed."

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The PM had said the UK has been talking to other partners about what more the country can do, "including questions of sanctions". He added: "My strong belief is, when we make a move, if we're able to do that in company of other countries, that's a stronger move than doing it on our own. So that's the basic approach that we're taking. But we are working on what more we could do."

Israel's foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar said it is "outrageous" that the UK has sanctioned two of the country's government ministers. Mr Sa'ar said he had spoken with Prime Minister Mr Netanyahu and that an Israeli response would be discussed at a meeting early next week.

He said: "We were informed about the UK decision to include two of our ministers on the British sanctions list. It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.

"I discussed it earlier today with PM Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision."