More propaganda terms I'm reading now in the news reports:

"as US and Iraqi troops ventured into the rebel enclave" instead of referring to the city by name. Turkish Press.

"in the first stage of a major assault on the insurgent stronghold" instead of referring to the city by name. The Guardian. That same article claims the handcuffing of the patients in the hospital was done by "Iraqi soldiers". Sure.

Also in The Guardian article:

"In the first foray across the river into Fallujah proper, Marines on Monday morning secured an apartment building in the city's northwest corner, said Capt. Brian Heatherman, of the 3rd Battalion 1st Marine Regiment.

``The Marines have now gained a foothold in the city,'' said Heatherman, 32.

He said there were some Iraqi casualties as the troops seized the building, where Marines found an improvised bomb hanging above a doorway - one of the many variety of booby traps they expect to come across in the urban battle."

"ferocious battle" is how the slaughter is being referred to by many news outlets, including the San Jose Times. And of course, the state of emergency has also closed the borders, so no more journalists, medical staff, etc are being allowed into the area now either. Savvy planning, that.