  We report observation results of the prompt X-- and $\gamma$--ray emission
from GRB 000528. This event was detected with the Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor and
one of the two Wide Field Cameras aboard the BeppoSAX satellite. The GRB was
promptly followed on with the BeppoSAX Narrow Field Instruments and with ground
optical and radio telescopes. The X-ray afterglow source was identified, but no
optical or radio counterpart found. We report here results from the prompt and
afterglow emission analysis. The main feature derived from spectral evolution
of the prompt emission is a high hydrogen-equivalent column density with
evidence of its decrease with time. We model this behavior in terms of a
time-dependent photoionization of the local circum-burst medium, finding that a
compact and dense environment is required by the data. We also find a fading of
the late part of the 2--10 keV prompt emission which is consistent with
afterglow emission. We discuss this result in the light of the external shock
model scenario.
