Suspected Targeted Ambush of Usfiya Businessman Majed Sheikh in Carmel Forest Triggers Major Criminal Investigation

Police investigate the fatal shooting of 58-year-old businessman Majed Sheikh near Daliyat al-Carmel. Three suspects arrested in suspected targeted hit.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 10:24 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Fatal Ambush Discovered in Remote Carmel Scenic Route

A major criminal investigation is underway in northern Israel following the discovery of the body of Majed Sheikh, a 58-year-old businessman, in the early hours of Friday morning. Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics were dispatched to a remote section of the Carmel Scenic Route near Daliyat al-Carmel at 12:21 a.m. after receiving reports of a wounded individual in an open area. Upon arrival, medical teams found Sheikh lying next to a vehicle with multiple penetrating gunshot wounds. Due to the severity of his injuries, paramedics were forced to declare him dead at the scene.

The Targeted History of a Well-Known Local Figure

Majed Sheikh, a resident of the Druze town of Usfiya and a married father, was a well-known figure in the local business community. Preliminary reports from Israeli law enforcement indicate that this was not the first time Sheikh had been in the crosshairs of criminal elements. He had reportedly survived several previous attempts on his life in recent years, including a violent encounter in the Galilee region. This history of targeted violence has led investigators to believe that Friday’s shooting was the culmination of a long-standing criminal vendetta rather than a random act of violence.

The Lure and Execution Strategy

Forensic teams and detectives from the Carmel regional serious crime unit are currently examining the possibility that the victim was lured to the isolated forest location under false pretenses. The remote nature of the crime scene suggests a level of premeditation, with attackers likely exploiting the cover of the wooded terrain to minimize witnesses and ensure a quick escape. Coastal District Commander Maj.-Gen. Yehiel Bohdana visited the site to oversee the situational assessment, emphasizing the gravity of the incident within the context of rising criminal violence in the region.