[AlohaBra]

The panel prys off. What year 97+?

Someone else has posted these:
Re: 2000 xj rear hatch wont open please help!!!
pull the handle and while it's pulled, smack to the left and right of it and it should pop open for you. All that's wrong.....if its the latch.....is that it is probably out of adjustment or worn. Smacking next to the latch has always worked for me.....yeah, its a 97+ problem too.

another:
Yep, my 2000 had the same problem. Just yank it to the left and right while pulling on the latch and it should open.

another:
i have the same prob on my 98. for a while it worked if i pushed on the bottom of the hatch while pulling the handle. now mine wont open at all, so im gonna have to try hitting it!