Hamas Releases Limited-Edition Charli XCX Vinyl Under Ceasefire Deal
Hamas negotiates ceasefire, trading Charli XCX vinyl due to disputes.
Hamas Faces Internal Backlash as Some Militants Argue XCX Vinyl Too Culturally Significant to Surrender
GAZA STRIP — Hamas included a limited-edition Charli XCX vinyl in ceasefire negotiations with Israel, releasing Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat on Saturday.
While earlier exchanges had focused on political demands, the militant organization eventually agreed to part with the decade's one of the most sought-after hyperpop artifacts.
Negotiations over the release were tense. Hamas operatives initially refused to surrender the album, citing its scarcity and high resale value.
Israeli intelligence sources said internal disputes delayed the deal. Some militants argued that Brat represented “an uncompromising vision of chaos” too valuable to be traded without extra concessions. One faction allegedly wanted to secure Low Roar's upcoming posthumous album first before agreeing to release the XCX vinyl.
Hamas’ statement on the move, issued through encrypted channels, framed the album’s release as a strategic gesture.
“Given [the vinyl]'s impact on global markets, we can no longer justify its continued retention,” the group said.
The special-edition pressing, produced in collaboration with Blood Records, has been one of the most elusive album drops of 2025. Featuring green double vinyl, die-cut packaging and an unexplained inclusion of white powder inside the sleeve, it was originally scheduled for a 28 Feb release but has commanded resale prices of up to US$275.
Brat’s influence extends beyond traditional distribution models, with some music analysts describing its sound as “a direct challenge to stability.”
How Hamas obtained the album remains unclear.
NATO sources suggest the group intercepted shipments. A leaked EU briefing points to an underground resale network embedded in techno fan communities. An intelligence memo seen by Baskille described a “sophisticated effort" to infiltrate Discord servers and resell forums, ensuring access to rare pressings and merch drops.
Western officials have so far refrained from commenting on the broader security implications of the release. A diplomat familiar with the negotiations described the exchange as “an unconventional but not entirely surprising concession.”
Music executives were more forthcoming. “This reaffirms Brat as the defining album of the moment,” said Portia Sabin, president of the Music Business Association.
Charli XCX responded to the news in a brief statement on X (formerly Twitter), posting “what” followed by “ok werk.”
Hamas’ willingness to release the vinyl raises questions about what other high-value cultural assets it can use in future negotiations. Unverified reports suggest the group holds an unreleased Grimes AI project and at least one Renaissance tour silver chrome horse. ■
