Fellas
I have seen a few threads dealing with the cherokee, but not the grand cherokee. I am trying to get it unstuck, but I'm sure you know the rear plastic panel is a challenge with the door being stuck closed. I removed a small plastic piece and I can see a lock lever go up and down when I hit the remote to lock and unlock, but that's all that I can currently access

Sounds like the clasp is rusted frozen, mine was. I ended up unbolting the striker from beneath the Jeep and opening the hatch with it still latched together.

I crawled in to the back with a screw driver and stuck my arm down the top and pulled up on the little metal rod then lubricated the parts got it to work been good so far I also cracked the plastic a bit so get someone with skinny arms if possible.