Israel Ministry of Defense Spokesperson's Statement: Israel MOD Signs Agreement with Elbit Systems to Establish Advanced Artillery Training Facility The Defense Procurement Directorate (DPD) at the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), in cooperation with the IDF Ground Forces, has signed a long-term, 15-year agreement with Elbit Systems to establish a dedicated training facility for IDF Artillery Corps commanders and soldiers. The facility will serve the Artillery Corps’ main new fire platforms: the next-generation SIGMA self-propelled howitzer and the PULS rocket launcher system. The contract, valued at over $190 million (approximately NIS 600 million) and led by the DPD’s Land Procurement Unit, includes the development and supply of some of the world’s most advanced technological training infrastructure, as well as comprehensive instruction, maintenance, and logistical support services. The new training array will include physical infrastructure, advanced training classrooms, driving and mission simulators, and more. The agreement marks a key milestone ahead of the platforms’ full entry into operational service. The shift to an advanced training concept will enable the Artillery Corps to fully leverage the operational capabilities of the new fire systems, while significantly shortening qualification and training times, raising the professional level of soldiers, and generating substantial savings in resources, budgets, and the maintenance of operational platforms. IMOD Deputy Director General and Head of the DPD, Zeev Landau: “The agreement we signed is significant news for strengthening the power and readiness of the IDF, and directly reflects the Ministry’s strategy of enhancing operational readiness, strengthening Israeli industry and ensuring a long-term technological and logistical response for field forces. The combination of advanced training and simulation technologies with a full, long-term support envelope will help the IDF Artillery Corps realize the full firepower potential of the SIGMA howitzer and the new systems, while saving and optimally utilizing resources.” Executive Vice President and General Manager of Elbit Systems Land, Boaz Cohen: “Elbit, as a partner to the needs of the defense establishment and the IDF, has developed for the Ground Forces one of the world’s most advanced training and instruction arrays. The Artillery School and the training array for Artillery Corps soldiers will enable the Artillery Corps to receive high-quality and efficient training, maintaining the fire array at the highest level of readiness.” Attached for your use: A photo of the SIGMA howitzer. Photo credit: Elbit Systems. Media and Public Affairs Bureau Israel Ministry of Defense For any media-related queries, please contact Nina Zaydenberg, IMOD Spokesperson to International Media: +972-544622513 | +972-506291093 | Dover@mod.gov.il

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson) Sunday, 1 November 2026 / 21 Cheshvan 5787 Director General of the President’s Residence Invites Knesset Faction Heads to Consultations With the President On November 1, 2026, the Director General of the President's Residence, Eyal Shviki, wrote to the representatives of the factions elected to the 26th Knesset, informing them that President Isaac Herzog will begin consultations with all factions on Wednesday, November 4, ahead of tasking a member of Knesset with forming the next government. Director General of the President's Residence, Eyal Shviki: “Today I contacted the heads of all the factions elected to the Knesset with an invitation to consultations with the President, ahead of tasking a member of Knesset with forming the government. As the President said today, the President’s Residence is wide open to all factions, and the President expects their representatives to come to the consultations with an open mind, ready to listen, to share ideas, and to prevent another round of elections. “We are preparing to welcome the faction representatives to the President's Residence beginning Wednesday, and to conduct the consultations in a dignified, respectful, and substantive manner. I hope and believe that, with responsibility and mutual respect, we will complete this democratic process properly, all for the good and prosperity of the State of Israel.” Media Information: President Herzog has instructed that the meetings with the factions be broadcast live across media platforms, out of a commitment to transparency for the citizens of Israel. As in every round of consultations, a Media Center will be set up at the President’s Residence. Faction leaders who wish to make an official statement to the media will do so at the Media Center immediately after their meeting with the President. All necessary technical facilities will be available to journalists there, along with positions for live broadcasting. Only GPO cameras will document the meetings in the consultation room, and media crews will not be permitted to enter into the room. Media representatives who have registered in advance to cover the event will wait outside the hall. In addition to the live broadcast, still photographs will be distributed by the GPO and by a pool photographer to be designated at a later stage. A detailed schedule of the arrival times of the factions will be published separately. Link for Video of Director General Eyal Shviki's Statement (Hebrew): https://mab.to/t/zkxaHvMlIPR/eu2 Video credit: Dotan Guetta (GPO) / Sound credit: Gideon Arnold (GPO) Benjamin Lee, benjaminl@president.gov.il, 050-6169572