General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, commander of aerial forces of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, confirmed the move on Monday, one day after they reported bringing down an Israeli stealth drone above the Natanz uranium enrichment site in the centre of the country.
"We will accelerate the arming of the West Bank and we reserve the right to give any response,” he said in a statement on Revolutionary Guards’ official website sepahnews.com
The announcement came as Egyptian mediators propose a new ceasefire in Gaza which would open the blockaded enclave's crossings and allow in aid and reconstruction materials.
The Palestinians, including the de facto Hamas rulers of the enclave, would be willing to accept such a deal if Israel does, a senior Palestinian official told AFP.
The proposal would defer to a later date negotiations on disputed points that have prevented a long-term ceasefire deal, he added.
An Egyptian official confirmed that mediators have contacted the Palestinians and Israel with a new proposal.
"There is an idea for a temporary ceasefire that opens the crossings, allows aid and reconstruction material, and the disputed points will be discussed in a month," the Palestinian official said.
"We would be willing to accept this, but are waiting for the Israeli response to this proposal," he said, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.
Another Palestinian official said Egypt might invite Palestinian and Israeli negotiating teams to return to Cairo in 48 hours.
A previous ceasefire to end the devastating conflict in Gaza collapsed on August 19 after Egyptian mediators were unable to bridge the gaps between the two sides.
The conflict, now in its 49th day, has killed more than 2,100 Palestinians and 68 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Hamas has insisted that any long-term truce must end the eight-year blockade of Gaza and allow for an airport in the coastal strip that is flanked by Israel and Egypt.
Israel says it wants Hamas, which it, the United States and European Union consider a terrorist organisation, to disarm, something the militants have refused to discuss.
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