It isn't peace, it's a temporary (and not complete) cessation of hostilities. A big difference. As soon as violence will better serve their ends, they will use it again. Peace has never been part of Hammas's policy or goals. If anyone can show me an official source saying otherwise, I'll be glad to read it.
Abbas is unpopular because he is weak and corrupt.
By bidding their time, I ment aside from waiting to see how many prisoners can be released, they are bidding their time to see how best to increase their power base. As long as Hammas are around, as long the angry, frustrated youth can see that taking up violence is an acceptable course of action, what hope is there for peace? They are not an organization that tolerates rivals. If Hammas is indeed the future, then it's a very bleak one.